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

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between impulsivity, self-esteem, irrational gambling belief, and problem gambling and also explored whether the relationships between these constructs are different for males and females. Participants included 563 college students with 259 males (46.0%) and 304 females (54.0%) from Korea. Participants completed a survey. The results showed that 5.3% of students were problem gamblers, while 9.4% were moderate-risk gamblers. The relationships between impulsivity, self-esteem, irrational gambling belief, and problem gambling differed for males and females. For females, greater impulsivity and lower self-esteem predicted higher irrational gambling belief, while higher irrational gambling belief predicted more problem gambling. For males, greater impulsivity predicted higher irrational gambling belief, and higher irrational gambling belief predicted more problem gambling. This finding suggests that different prevention efforts are needed, which will require identifying the variables that affect problem gambling.

Investigation of Gambling Behavior, Self-Confidence and Psychological Resilience Levels of University Students

“…Çelik et al determined the probable pathological gambling addiction in university students at the level of 1.2% (Çelik et al, 2022). In their study, Choi and Kim found that 16.3% of the participants were in the low-risk, 9.4% in the medium-risk and 5.4% in the problematic group in terms of problematic gambling behavior (Choi & Kim, 2021). Yokomitsu et al found the rate of probable problem gambling among students to be 5.1%, close to our study (Yokomitsu et al, 2019).…”

“…Similarly, Koç and colleagues also found higher SOGS scores in males compared to females (Koç et al, 2023). Choi and Kim similarly found a higher SGOS score in men than in female (Choi & Kim, 2021). Cakici et al found pathological gambling behavior at a higher rate in male students than in females (Çakıcı et al, 2020).…”

“…Pathological gamblers have been found to have lower self-esteem and mood disorders and engage in risk-taking behaviors to increase their sense of excitement and physiological arousal (Choi & Kim, 2021). Individuals who engage in gambling at casinos or participate in illegal gambling exhibit a greater tendency to seek excitement (Raylu & Oei, 2002).…”

The Association between Alexithymia and Social Media Addiction: Exploring the Role of Dysmorphic Symptoms, Symptoms Interference, and Self-Esteem, Controlling for Age and Gender

“…Self-esteem could be defined as a global evaluation of oneself that determines a positive or negative attitude towards the self [ 47 ]. It has been related to high mental health [ 48 ] and, in the field of addiction, it has negative relationships with substance use [ 49 ], gambling disorder [ 50 ], and exercise addiction [ 41 ], as well as technological addictions, such as internet addiction [ 51 ], internet gaming disorder [ 52 ], and problematic smartphone use [ 53 ]. In light of this evidence, the deepening of the protective role of self-esteem on social media addiction appears relevant, by exploring not only the direct associations between these two constructs but also the moderating effects of self-esteem in the relationships between other intervening factors.…”

Does wanting more lead to losing control? Examining the psychological drivers of compulsive buying

“…Low SE has generally been associated with deleterious outcomes that include, but are not limited to, elevated credit card debt, self-neglect, obesity, hoarding behaviors, chronic eating disorders and gambling addiction (Choi and Kim, 2021; Argo and White, 2012; Pinto et al , 2004). Understandably, consumer researchers have a keen interest in the impact of SE on purchasing behaviors.…”