Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Psychological Vulnerability and Problem Gambling: An Application of Durand Jacobs’ General Theory of Addictions to Electronic Gaming Machine Playing in Australia

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Gambling Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to conduct an empirical investigation of the validity of Jacobs’ (in J Gambl Behav 2:15–31, 1986) general theory of addictions in relation to gambling problems associated with electronic gaming machines (EGM). Regular EGM gamblers (n = 190) completed a series of standardised measures relating to psychological and physiological vulnerability, substance use, dissociative experiences, early childhood trauma and abuse and problem gambling (the Problem Gambling Severity Index). Statistical analysis using structural equation modelling revealed clear relationships between childhood trauma and life stressors and psychological vulnerability, dissociative-like experiences and problem gambling. These findings confirm and extend a previous model validated by Gupta and Derevensky (in J Gambl Stud 14: 17–49, 1998) using an adolescent population. The significance of these findings are discussed for existing pathway models of problem gambling, for Jacobs’ theory, and for clinicians engaged in assessment and intervention.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The two terms ‘pathological’ and ‘problem gambling’ are used interchangeably in this paper. Much of the literature relates to ‘pathological gambling’ as defined by the DSM-IV criteria, but the Problem Gambling Severity Index, the diagnostic measure used in this study, uses the term ‘problem gambler’ to signify the highest level of gambling risk identified by the screen. The authors recognise the distinction between the two terms. Problem gambling is often used more commonly in public health contexts to signify the presence of gambling-related harm, whereas pathological gambling refers to the disorder itself. However, in some gambling screens (e.g., South Oaks Gambling Screen, SOGS, Lesieur and Blume 1987), problem gambling is seen as a weaker form of pathological gambling.

References

  • Allcock, C. C. (2006). Conclusion. In C. C. Allcock (Ed.), Current issues related to dissociation (pp. 79–88). Melbourne: Australian Gaming Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allcock, C. C., & Grace, D. M. (1988). Pathological gamblers are neither impulsive nor sensation-seekers. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 22, 307–311.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, G., & Brown, R. I. (1984). Real and laboratory gambling, sensation-seeking and arousal. British Journal of Psychology, 75, 401–410.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arnett, J. (1994). Sensation seeking: A new conception and a new scale. Personality and Individual Differences, 16, 289–296. doi:10.1016/0191-8869(94)90165-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A., & McConaghy, N. (1989). Anxiety and/or depression in the pathogenesis of addictive gambling. International Journal of the Addictions, 24, 337–350.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A., & Nower, L. (2002). A pathways model of problem and pathological gambling. Addiction, 97, 487–499. doi:10.1046/j.1360-0443.2002.00015.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A., Sharpe, L., Walker, M., & Hill, S. (2005). Withdrawal and tolerance phenomena in problem gambling. Sydney: University of Sydney.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A. P., Wilson, A. C., & McConaghy, N. (1986). Sensation seeking in pathological gambling. British Journal of Addiction, 81, 113–117.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R. I. F. (1986). Arousal and sensation-seeking components in the general explanation of gambling and gambling addictions. International Journal of the Addictions, 21, 1001–1016.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, B. M. (2010). Structural equation modelling with AMOS. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coventry, K., & Constable, B. (1999). Physiological arousal and sensation seeking in female fruit machines players. Addiction, 94, 425–430. doi:10.1046/j.1360-0443.1999.94342512.x.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Delfabbro, P. H., & LeCouteur, A. (2010). Australasian gambling review. Adelaide: Independent Gambling Authority of South Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, N., Smith, D., & Thomas, T. (2005). Electronic gaming machines: Are they the crack cocaine of gambling? Addiction, 100, 33–45.

  • el-Guebaly, N., Patten, S., Currie, S., Williams, J., Beck, C., Maxwell, C., et al. (2006). Epidemiological associations between gambling behavior, substance use & mood and anxiety disorders. Journal of Gambling Studies, 22, 275–287. doi:10.1007/s10899-006-9016-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Felsher, J., Derevensky, J., & Gupta, R. (2010). Young adults with gambling problems: The impact of childhood maltreatment. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 8, 545–556. doi:10.1007/s11469-009-9230-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferris, J., & Wynne, H. (2001). The Canadian problem gambling index (CPGI): Final report. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.

    Google Scholar 

  • Getty, H., Watson, J., & Frisch, G. (2000). A comparison of depression and styles of coping in male and female GA members and controls. Journal of Gambling Studies, 16, 377–391. doi:10.1023/A:1009480106531.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, M. (1995). Adolescent gambling. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, M., & Delfabbro, P. H. (2001). The biopsychosocial approach to the study of gambling. eGambling: The Electronic Journal of Gambling Issues, 5, 1–33. doi:10.4309/jgi.2001.5.1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R., & Derevensky, J. L. (1998). An empirical examination of Jacobs’ general theory of addictions: Do adolescent gamblers fit the theory? Journal of Gambling Studies, 14, 17–49. doi:10.1023/A:1023046509031.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R., Derevensky, J., & Marget, N. (2004). Coping strategies employed by adolescents with gambling problems. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 9, 115–120. doi:10.1111/j.1475-3588.2004.00092.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henry-Edwards, S., Humeniuk, R., Ali, R., Poznyak, V., & Monteiro, M. (2003). The alcohol, smoking and substance involvement screening test (ASSIST): Guidelines for use in primary care (Draft Version 1.1 for Field Testing). Geneva: World Health Organisation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodgins, D. C., Schopflocher, D. P., el-Guebaly, N., Casey, D. M., Smith, G. J., Williams, R. J., et al. (2010). The association between childhood maltreatment and gambling problems in a community sample of adult men and women. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 24, 548–554. doi:10.1037/a0019946.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle, R. H. (1995). Structural equation modelling: Concepts, issues, and applications. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Humeniuk, R., Ali, R., Babor, T. F., Farrell, M., Formigoni, M. L., Jittiwutikarn, J., de Lacerda, r. B., Ling, W., Marsden, J., Monteiro, M., Nhiwatiwa, S., Pal, H., Poznyak, V., & Simon, S. (2008). Validation of the alcohol, smoking and substance involvement screening test (ASSIST). Addiction, 103, 1039–1047.

  • Jacobs, D. F. (1986). A general theory of addictions: A new theoretical model. Journal of Gambling Behavior, 2, 15–31. doi:10.1007/BF01019931.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, D. (1988). Evidence for a common dissociative-like reaction among addicts. Journal of Gambling Behavior, 4, 27–37. doi:10.1007/BF01043526.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, D. (2009). Structural equation modeling: Foundations and extensions (2nd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kausch, O., Rugle, L., & Rowland, D. Y. (2006). Lifetimes histories of trauma among pathological gamblers. American Journal on Addictions, 15, 35–43. doi:10.1080/10550490500419045.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kuley, N., & Jacobs, D. (1988). The relationship between dissociative like experience and sensation seeking among social and problem gamblers. Journal of Gambling Behavior, 4, 197–207. doi:10.1007/BF01018332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ledgerwood, D. M., & Petry, N. M. (2006). Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in treatment seeking pathological gamblers. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 19, 411–416. doi:10.1002/jts.20123.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H. R., & Blume, S. (1987). The south oaks gambling screen (the SOGS): A new instrument for the identification of pathological gamblers. American Journal of Psychiatry, 144, 1184–1188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H. R., & Rosenthal, M. D. (1991). Pathological gambling: A review of the literature. Journal of Gambling Studies, 7, 5–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovibond, S., & Lovibond, P. (1995). Manual for the depression anxiety stress scales (2nd ed.). Sydney: Psychology Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maccullum, F., & Blaszczynski, A. (2002). Pathological gambling and co-morbid substance abuse. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 36, 411–415. doi:10.1046/j.1440-1614.2001.01005.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCormick, R. (1994). The importance of coping skill enhancement in the treatment of the pathological gambler. Journal of Gambling Studies, 10, 77–86. doi:10.1007/BF02109780.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCormick, R., Russo, A., Ramirez, L., & Taber, J. (1984). Affective disorders among pathological gamblers seeking treatment. American Journal of Psychiatry, 141, 215–218.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moran, E. (1970). Varieties of pathological gambling. British Journal of Psychiatry, 116, 593–597. doi:10.1192/bjp.116.535.593.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Petry, N. (2005). Pathological gambling: Etiology, comorbidity and treatment. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Petry, N. M., & Steinberg, K. L. (2005). Childhood maltreatment in male and female treatment-seeking pathological gamblers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 19, 226–229. doi:10.1037/0893-164X.19.2.226.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petry, N. M., Stinson, F. S., & Grant, B. F. (2005). Comorbidity of DSM-IV pathological gambling and other psychiatric disorders: Results from the national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 66, 564–574. doi:10.4088/JCP.v66n0504.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Raykov, T., Tomer, A., & Nesselroade, J. R. (1991). Reporting structural equation modeling results in psychology and aging: Some proposed guidelines. Psychology and Aging, 6, 499–503. doi:10.1037/0882-7974.6.4.499.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodda, S., Brown, S. L., & Phillips, J. G. (2004). The relationship between anxiety, smoking, and gambling in electronic gaming machine players. Journal of Gambling Studies, 20, 71–81. doi:10.1023/B:JOGS.0000016704.06088.85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, B., & Becker-Lausen, E. (1995). The measurement of psychological maltreatment: Early data on the child abuse and trauma scale. Child Abuse and Neglect, 19, 315–323. doi:10.1016/S0145-2134(94)00131-6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scannell, E. D., Quirk, M. M., Smith, K., Maddern, R., & Dickerson, M. (2000). Females’ coping styles and control over poker machine gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 16, 417–432. doi:10.1023/A:1009484207439.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scherrer, J. F., Xian, H., Krygiel Kapp, J. M., Waterman, B., Shah, K. R., Volberg, R., et al. (2007). Association between exposure to childhood and lifetime traumatic events and lifetime pathological gambling in a twin cohort. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 195, 72–78. doi:10.1097/01.nmd.0000252384.20382.e9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sharpe, L., & Tarrier, N. (1993). Towards a cognitive-behavioral theory of problem gambling. British Journal of Psychology, 162, 407–412.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • South Australian Department for Families and Communities. (2007). Gambling prevalence in South Australia. Adelaide: S.A. Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ste-Marie, C., Gupta, R., & Derevensky, J. (2006). Anxiety and social stress related to adolescent gambling behaviour and substance use. Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, 15, 55–74. doi:10.1300/J029v15n04_03.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taber, J. I., McCormick, R. A., & Ramirez, L. F. (1987). The prevalence and impact of major life stressors among pathological gamblers. International Journal of the Addictions, 22, 71–79.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • The University of Texas. (2002). Introduction to structural equation modelling using AMOS. Austin, TX: The University of Texas.

  • Thomas, A. C., Sullivan, G. B., & Allen, F. C. L. (2009). A theoretical model of EGM problem gambling: More than a cognitive escape. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 7, 97–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trevorrow, K., & Moore, S. (1998). The association between loneliness, social isolation and women’s electronic gaming machine gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 14, 263–284. doi:10.1023/A:1022057609568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, N., Jain, U., Spence, W., & Zangeneh, M. (2008). Pathways to pathological gambling: Component analysis of variables related to pathological gambling. International Gambling Studies, 8, 281–298. doi:10.1080/14459790802405905.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, M. B. (1989). Some problems with the concept of ‘gambling addiction’: Should theories of addiction be generalised to include excessive gambling. Journal of Gambling Behavior, 5, 179–200. doi:10.1007/BF01024386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, M. B. (2005). Problems in measuring the effectiveness of cognitive therapy for pathological gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 21, 81–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, J., Kimerling, R., Brown, P., Chrestman, K., & Levin, K. (Eds.). (1996). Psychometric review of the life stressor checklist- revised. Lutherville, MD: Sidran Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, R. T., & Griffiths, M. D. (2007). A qualitative investigation of problem gambling as an escape-based coping strategy. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 80, 107–125. doi:10.1348/147608306X107881.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Jessica McCormick, Paul Delfabbro & Linley A. Denson

Authors
  1. Jessica McCormick
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paul Delfabbro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Linley A. Denson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul Delfabbro.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

McCormick, J., Delfabbro, P. & Denson, L.A. Psychological Vulnerability and Problem Gambling: An Application of Durand Jacobs’ General Theory of Addictions to Electronic Gaming Machine Playing in Australia. J Gambl Stud 28, 665–690 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-011-9281-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-011-9281-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation