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Coping with Guilt and Shame After Gambling Loss

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Abstract

In this study we examined the relations between guilt and shame and coping strategies in response to gambling loss. Based on H.B. Lewis’s (Shame & guilt in neurosis. New York: International Universities Press, 1971) account of guilt and shame, we proposed that unlike guilt, the experience of shame involves the attribution of gambling loss to stable and global internal factors (i.e., self-devaluation). We hypothesized that problem gambling severity would be more strongly associated with the intensity of shame than with the intensity of guilt following gambling loss. Further, we hypothesized that the intensity of shame would be positively associated with the use of avoidant coping strategies following gambling loss. Finally, we hypothesized that the intensity of shame would mediate the association between problem gambling severity and the use of avoidant coping. These hypotheses were supported by a retrospective survey of recent gambling losses. Our finding suggests that the experience of shame and the use of avoidant coping strategies to deal with this emotion are central to problem gambling severity.

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Acknowledgment

This project was partially funded by the research grant of the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marketing and Consumer Studies, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada

    Sunghwan Yi & Vinay Kanetkar

Authors
  1. Sunghwan Yi
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  2. Vinay Kanetkar
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Correspondence to Sunghwan Yi.

Appendix: The “Coping with Gambling Loss” Scale

Appendix: The “Coping with Gambling Loss” Scale

Seeking Social Support

  • I asked people who have had similar problems what they did to deal with this problem.

  • I sought sympathy and understanding from someone.

  • I discussed my feelings with someone.

Planning to Make Up for Monetary Loss

  • I adjusted my budget to make up for the money I lost on gambling and tried to follow it.

  • I tried to earn extra income in order to make up for the money I lost.

  • I tried to cut back on other expenses in order to make up for the lost money.

Rationalization

  • I thought that at least I had good time gambling.

  • I thought that the money I lost was worth it because I enjoyed myself.

  • I told myself I deserve spending money on gambling from time to time.

  • I told myself that this gambling occasion was a treat to myself for working hard.

Wishful Thinking

  • I wished that the lost money would somehow be recovered.

  • I hoped a miracle would happen and the money I lost would come back.

  • I wished that I could start all over again and did not suffer this loss.

Non-Disclosure

  • I tried to keep my feelings to myself.

  • I kept others from knowing how bad things were.

  • I told others that I have lost less than I actually have.

  • I did not want to disclose to others how much I lost on gambling.

Distortion of Loss

  • I thought sustaining some losses is the only way to eventually win big.

  • I thought that the money I lost time was just money I had previously won from gambling.

  • I thought that eventually gains and losses balance out in my gambling.

  • I thought that the money I lost this time was not much because on average I win more than I lose.

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Yi, S., Kanetkar, V. Coping with Guilt and Shame After Gambling Loss. J Gambl Stud 27, 371–387 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-010-9216-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-010-9216-y

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