Interpersonal Guilt in College Student Pathological Gamblers

Abstract

Background: Interpersonal guilt is associated with psychopathology, but its relationship to pathological gambling has not been studied. Objectives: This study examined the relationship between interpersonal guilt and pathological gambling. Methods: In total, 1979 college students completed a questionnaire containing the South Oaks Gambling Screen, Interpersonal Guilt Questionnaire, and questions about substance use. Students identified as pathological gamblers (n = 145) were matched to nonproblem gamblers with respect to demographics and substance use. Results: Pathological gamblers had significantly higher interpersonal guilt than their nonproblem gambling peers. Conclusions and Scientific Significance: Pathological gambling college students have excessive interpersonal guilt, and these findings may lead to novel treatment approaches.

• gambling
• guilt

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Partial funding for this research by the Clinical Research Institute of Smith College School for Social Work. Preparation of this report was supported in part by P30-DA023918, P50-DA09241, R01-MH60417, and R01-DA021567.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.