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Depressive Symptoms and Gambling Behavior: Mediating Role of Coping Motivation and Gambling Refusal Self-Efficacy

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Abstract

Understanding the variables that contribute to the comorbidity of depression and gambling behaviors is important in developing effective intervention strategies for those who experience gambling-related problems. The purpose of this study was to implement core concepts from Jacob’s general theory of addiction and the social cognitive theory in a multiple mediation model. Specifically, we tested two models to examine whether coping motivation and refusal self-efficacy mediated the relationship between depressive symptoms, gambling related problems, and days gambled. Data was collected from 333 undergraduate students at a large public Midwest university, participating in a larger clinical trial. Analyses indicated a direct effect between depressive symptoms and gambling related problems. Depressive symptoms were found to have a significant indirect effect through coping motivation and gambling refusal self-efficacy on gambling related problems and days gambled. These results provide further support regarding the mechanisms through which depressive symptoms may increase risk for problematic gambling behavior.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by a Grant from the National Center for Responsible Gaming.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, 16 Hill Hall, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    Stephanie K. Takamatsu & Matthew P. Martens

  2. School of Nursing, University of Michigan, 400 North Ingalls, Room 4305, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Brooke J. Arterberry

Authors
  1. Stephanie K. Takamatsu
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  2. Matthew P. Martens
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  3. Brooke J. Arterberry
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Correspondence to Stephanie K. Takamatsu.

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This project was approved by the university Institutional Review Board and has therefore been performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. All persons gave their informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study.

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Takamatsu, S.K., Martens, M.P. & Arterberry, B.J. Depressive Symptoms and Gambling Behavior: Mediating Role of Coping Motivation and Gambling Refusal Self-Efficacy. J Gambl Stud 32, 535–546 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-015-9562-x

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