Impulsivity and problem gambling: can the anticipated emotional rewards explain the relationship?

Flack, Mal, and Buckby, Beryl (2020) Impulsivity and problem gambling: can the anticipated emotional rewards explain the relationship? International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 18 (3). pp. 567-581.

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Abstract

Impulsivity is one of the individual level dispositional characteristics that have shown a robust association with problem gambling. However, the way in which impulsivity shapes gambling behaviour is less well understood. The current study examined the explanatory role of gambling outcome expectancies of escape and excitement to further explore the relationship between impulsivity and problem gambling. A total of 491 community members completed an online questionnaire that assessed impulsivity, the anticipated emotional benefits of gambling (escape and excitement outcome expectancies), gambling frequency and problem gambling. Although escape and excitement outcome expectancies partially accounted for the relationship between impulsivity and problem gambling scores, escape moderated the relationship. Specifically, impulsivity was not related to problem gambling when less favourable views of escape outcome expectancies were held. Conversely, the relationship between impulsivity and problem gambling strengthened when escape outcome expectancies were more favourable. The findings indicate the escape outcome expectancies play a significant role in determining the degree to which impulsivity influences problematic gambling. The results suggest engendering more unfavourable beliefs towards using gambling as a form of escapism or a way to cope with negative affect may be helpful, especially for gamblers with heightened levels of impulsivity.

Item ID: 63495
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1557-1882
Keywords: Impulsivity, Gambling outcome expectancies, Problem gambling, Escape, Excitement, Mood regulation, Affect, Mediators, Moderators
Copyright Information: (C) Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2018
Date Deposited: 17 Jun 2020 07:33
FoR Codes: 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5205 Social and personality psychology > 520505 Social psychology @ 60%
52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520302 Clinical psychology @ 40%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920401 Behaviour and Health @ 40%
92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920499 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) not elsewhere classified @ 20%
92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920410 Mental Health @ 40%
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