Abstract
Although there is a growing interest in exploring the specific role of both emotional regulation processes and alexithymia in gambling disorder (GD), evidence remains scarce. In order to delve deeper into the complex interactions between these factors, the present study aimed at exploring a network of the core GD-related features, including GD symptomatology and severity, emotion dysregulation, alexithymia, and personality features. The sample included N = 739 treatment-seeking patients with GD (691 men and 48 women), aged 18–78 years (mean age = 39.2, SD = 13.2). The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria were assessed in, and the South Oaks Gambling Screen, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised were administered to, participants. A network analysis was conducted to reveal inter-relationships between these elements. Three nodes related to emotion dysregulation showed the most critical position in the whole network of the present study: “lack of emotional awareness”, “non-acceptance of emotional responses”, and “difficulties engaging in goal-directed behaviors”. When analyzing emotional dysregulation using the different DERS subscales, two independent clusters were identified. One cluster encompassed alexithymia dimensions (“lack of awareness” and “lack of clarity”), while the other cluster included all other emotion-dysregulation dimensions. Identification of the emotion-dysregulation- and GD-related features with the highest centrality/linkage may be particularly useful for developing valid measurement tools and precise management plans for individuals with GD.
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The data that support the findings of this study may be available from the corresponding authors upon request.
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Funding
Financial support was received through the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades through the Grant No. RTI2018-101837-B-100 (co-funded by European Regional Development Fund. ERDF, a way to build Europe). FIS PI17/01167 and FIS PI20/132 received aid from the Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad. The research was also funded by the Delegación del Gobierno para el Plan Nacional sobre Drogas (2019I47 and 2021I031), CIBER Fisiología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), as an initiative of ISCIII. We thank CERCA Programme / Generalitat de Catalunya for institutional support. Dr. Gemma Mestre-Bach was supported by a postdoctoral grant of FUNCIVA and by the 2022-2023 Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) challenge on “Youth, relationships and psychological well-being” of the University of Navarra. Dr. Roser Granero was supported by The Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA Academia, 2021 Program). Dr. Marc N. Potenza’s involvement was supported by the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling.
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MNP Conceptualization; RG Formal analysis; SJM and FFA Project administration; MNP Supervision; GMB Methodology; GMB and RG Writing—original draft; GMB, SJM and MNP Writing—review & editing.
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Dr. Fernández-Aranda received consultancy honoraria from Novo Nordisk and editorial honoraria as EIC from Wiley. Dr. Potenza has consulted for Opiant Therapeutics, Game Day Data, Baria-Tek, the Addiction Policy Forum, AXA and Idorsia Pharmaceuticals; has been involved in a patent application with Yale University and Novartis; has received research support from Mohegan Sun Casino and the National Center for Responsible Gaming; has participated in surveys, mailings or telephone consultations related to drug addiction, impulse-control disorders or other health topics; has consulted for and/or advised gambling and legal entities on issues related to impulse-control/addictive disorders; has provided clinical care in a problem gambling services program; has performed grant reviews for research-funding agencies; has edited journals and journal sections; has given academic lectures in grand rounds, CME events and other clinical or scientific venues; and has generated books or book chapters for publishers of mental health texts. The other authors do not report disclosures.
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Mestre-Bach, G., Granero, R., Fernández-Aranda, F. et al. Roles for Alexithymia, Emotion Dysregulation and Personality Features in Gambling Disorder: A Network Analysis. J Gambl Stud 39, 1207–1223 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-022-10164-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-022-10164-0