It is argued that motivation is a key determinant of gambling involvement. The hypothesis--that participants who exhibit a high self-determined motivational profile (i.e., engage in gambling for fun and have a sense of choice) will report a higher degree of involvement--was supported in a study conducted in Canada, with 245 gamblers who bet on horses. Also, the male participants were more involved in gambling than the female participants were.
The purpose of the present investigation was to test the skill/luck distinction among gambling games by comparing the motivations underlying participation in a skill (horse racing) and a luck (lottery) betting activity. Predictions were made using Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985, 1991). It was predicted that self-determined motivations (intrinsic motivation and identified regulation) would be more prominent for the skill game because it is conducive to optimal challenges, fun, and self-involvement. Conversely, the non self-determined forms of motivation (especially external regulation) should be more important for the game of luck because the luck dimension precludes true involvement of the self and orients the individual towards material gains. Results from a hierarchical discriminant function analysis, with 120 gamblers predominantly involved in one of the two betting activities, supported these hypotheses. These results highlight the relevance of a motivational analysis for a better understanding of the inherent properties of gambling games.
The present study tested a motivational model where the beneficial impact that processes of cognitive adaptation have on mental health takes place through self-determined motivation. The model proposes that the components of cognitive adaptation theory (positive self-perceptions, perceptions of control, and optimism) foster a self-determined motivation. In turn, self-determined motivation predicts positive indices of mental health. In addition, the model posits that the beneficial role of cognitive adaptation on mental health is mediated by motivational processes. The model was tested using a 1-year prospective design with a random sample from the general population. Results from structural equation modelling analysis provided empirical support for the proposed model. Results are discussed with regards to Taylor's (1983) cognitive adaptation theory, self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1991), and the Hierarchical Model of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation (Vallerand, 1997).
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