The Impact and Role of Emotion Regulation on Problem Gambling among Emerging Adults

Session Title

Session 3-1-E: Disordered Gambling Development and Impacts

Presenters

Loredana MarchicaFollow
Devin J. Mills, Rutgers University - New Brunswick/PiscatawayFollow
Jeffrey Derevensky, McGill UniversityFollow
Tina Montreuil, McGill UniversityFollow

Presentation Type

Event

Location

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

Start Date

30-5-2019 9:00 AM

End Date

30-5-2019 10:25 AM

Disciplines

Clinical Psychology

Abstract

Emotion regulation (ER) has been found to be a protective factor against a variety of different psychopathologies. To date, ER remains largely neglected in the study of gambling disorder. The following study (N = 441) explores the relationship between ER and problem gambling, as well as the mediating role gambling motivations play in the interaction between ER and problem gambling among 18 to 27-year-old gamblers (M = 19.57, SD = 2.17). After accounting for the effects of sensation seeking and impulsivity, the results revealed that in addition to sex, age, and gambling frequency, ER (B = .15) was significantly associated with elevated problem gambling. However, in a follow-up analysis, the direct effect of ER onto problem gambling was better explained by gambling motivations, specifically coping (i.e., gambling to relieve negative emotions; negative reinforcement) and enhancement (i.e., gambling to increase positive emotions; positive reinforcement). These findings suggest that ER accounts for problem gambling beyond reports of sensation seeking and impulsivity. Moreover, in addressing ER issues among treatment-seeking gamblers, clinicians should target intervention efforts toward the development of more adaptive coping skills to reduce the reliance on gambling or related sensation seeking behaviors.

Implication of material:

Understanding this relationship would contribute to advancements in currently insufficient treatment and prevention options. For instance, focusing on enhancing ER skills among problem gamblers, and addressing motivations for gambling (e.g., gambling to cope with negative emotions) would mean addressing underlying mechanisms of psychopathology rather than symptoms (i.e., gambling addiction).

Keywords

problem gambling, emerging adulthood, emotion regulation, gambling motivations

Author Bios

Loredana Marchica: Loredana Marchica, M.A., is a PhD Candidate, under the supervision of Drs. Derevensky and Montreuil, in the School/Applied Child Psychology program at McGill University. Her research examines the role of emotion regulation and mindfulness in high-risk behaviors among youth and emerging adults. She is the recipient of the Heather Munroe-Blum Fellowship in Public Policy and the FQRSC Doctoral Research Grant on Responsible Gambling.

Devin Mills: Devin J. Mills, PhD is a postdoctoral research associate within the center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University. His research explores the etiology of behavioral addictions from the perspective of socio-developmental theories.

Jeffrey Derevensky: Jeffrey L. Derevensky, Ph.D., is a James McGill Professor of School/Applied Child Psychology and Chair, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology; and Professor, Department of Psychiatry at McGill University. He is the director of the McGill University Youth Gambling Research and Treatment Clinic and the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors. Dr. Derevensky is on the editorial board of multiple journals and has testified before government organizations on responsible gambling in North and South America, Europe, and Australasia.

Tina Montreuil: Tina Montreuil, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, an Associate Member of the department of Psychiatry and the Director of C.A.R.E. research group at McGill University. Her research focuses on investigating the role of emotion regulation, attitudes, and beliefs on the development and intergenerational transmission of psychopathology. She has presented at several international conferences and is the co-author of a universal school-based program called Healthy Minds, Healthy Schools.

Funding Sources

This research was funded by the Manitoba Gambling Research Program. The funding body had no involvement in any aspects of research including, but not limited to, the research questions, methodology, research conduct, or analysis of results.

Competing Interests

There are no competing interests.