Abstract
Previous studies have mostly examined cognitive and psychosocial variables that are critical to the cognitive behavioral conceptualization of Problem Gambling (PG) in community samples. This study aimed to assess whether cognitive and psychosocial variables (gambling refusal self-efficacy, gambling cognitions, gambling urges, comorbid negative psychological states, comorbid substance use/misuse, life satisfaction and quality of life) can predict gambling behaviour in a clinical sample. One hundred and thirty-nine volunteers for a PG self-help cognitive behaviour treatment program participated. Results showed that only perceived gambling refusal self-efficacy, cognitions of inability to stop gambling, hazardous drinking behaviors, and poor quality of life related to one’s environment, significantly predicted SOGS and/or CPGI scores. Significant interactions between gender and a number of variables including gambling cognitions (especially gambling expectancies), gambling refusal self-efficacy as well as quality of life related to physical or environmental health predicted gambling behaviour in this clinical sample.
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Acknowledgments
We would sincerely like to thank Shana Grozdanovic and Jasmine Loo for their assistance with this study. This research project was supported financially by the Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation under the Responsible Gambling Research Grants Program. The findings of the study were submitted to the Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation as a condition of the grant. Parts of the findings of this study were presented at the Asian Psychological Association, Darwin, July 2010.
Conflict of Interest
On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.
Disclaimer
This study presents the findings of independent research. These findings and the associated argument and interpretation derive from the project as conducted, and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of the Queensland Government or the Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation.
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Oei, T.P.S., Raylu, N. Cognitive and Psychosocial Variables Predicting Gambling Behavior in a Clinical Sample. Int J Ment Health Addiction 13, 520–535 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-015-9555-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-015-9555-0