Impulsivity and Gambling Type Among Treatment-Seeking Disordered Gamblers: An Explorative Study

Abstract

Several studies have found that certain traits of impulsivity are associated with gambling disorder, and influence its severity. Furthermore, it has been suggested that some forms of gambling, particularly electronic gambling machines, are particularly widespread among pathological gamblers. In the present, exploratory study, we aim to clarify the role played by impulsivity in influencing the choice of specific gambling activities, by examining the relation between individual dimensions of impulsivity, and the choice of specific gambling activities in a clinical population. 100 consecutively admitted pathological gamblers at the National Problem Gambling Clinic in London (UK) in 2014 were administered the UPPS-P and BIS-11 impulsivity questionnaires, the Problem Gambling Severity Index, and underwent a structured interview concerning their gambling activities in the month and year prior to assessment. The correlation between individual gambling activities and impulsivity dimensions was analyzed both at a bivariate level, and using logistic regression. We found a significant correlation between Negative Urgency, Motor impulsivity and low-stakes machine gambling on multivariate analysis. Negative urgency (i.e. the tendency to act impulsively in response to negative affect), and Motor impulsivity (a tendency to rash action and restlessness) might be mediating factors in the choice of electronic gambling machines, particularly among patients whose gambling is escape-oriented. Structural and situational characteristics of gambling machines, particularly the widespread availability of low-stakes-rather than high-stakes-gaming machines, might concur to the choice of this form of gambling among individuals who present higher negative urgency and restlessness.

Dimensions of Impulsivity in Gambling Disorder

“…www.nature.com/scientificreports www.nature.com/scientificreports/ impulsive dimensions and essential GD clinical features, such as cognitive distortions 37,68,69 , gambling choices 70,71 , emotion-regulation impairment 72 , or GD-related illegal acts 34 . Sensation seeking as well as urgency, which appear to be related with GD severity in some studies, including ours 36,38,73 , are strongly associated with emotional factors 74 .…”

The Relationship between Impulsiveness, Self-Esteem, Irrational Gambling Belief and Problem Gambling Moderating Effects of Gender

“…At a psychological level, pathological gamblers have been found to have lower self-esteem and mood disturbances and participate in risk-taking behaviors to gain excitement and an increase in physiological arousal [ 9 ]. Impulsivity, a personality trait which refers to hasty and inappropriate behavior is also considered to influence the severity of gambling-related problem [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Impulsive characteristics and gambling-related cognitions are recognized as two major psychological factors in the emergence and retention of problem gambling [ 14 ].…”

The predictive capacity of DSM-5 symptom severity and impulsivity on response to cognitive-behavioral therapy for gambling disorder: A 2-year longitudinal study

“…In the case of GD, the scales that best distinguish treatment-seeking patients from healthy controls are lack of perseverance and positive and negative urgency, with GD patients endorsing greater levels in all three measures [15, 20]. It is common for patients with GD to report using gambling behavior to mitigate states of anxiety or depression, possibly due to impaired emotion regulation mechanisms [20–22].…”

“…In addition to this clinical symptomatology, numerous studies have highlighted the associations between GD and impulsivity [10–13]. Specifically, there is evidence to support that trait impulsivity affects both the aetiology and maintenance of this behavioral addiction [14, 15]. The most used framework in recent years for the study of GD has been the UPPS-P [16, 17].…”