Disrupting the relation between gambling cravings and problem gambling: The role of non-gambling passions

Session Title

Session 2-1-A: Recovery from Problem Gambling

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation

Location

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Start Date

24-5-2023 9:00 AM

End Date

24-5-2023 10:30 AM

Disciplines

Leisure Studies | Personality and Social Contexts | Social Psychology

Abstract

Abstract

Having an alternative activity to gambling that one loves (i.e., a passion) is assumed to be associated with more adaptive outcomes among high-risk gamblers since it may point to players being less consumed by gambling. More specifically, when gambling cravings emerge, it is anticipated that having a non-gambling passion would represent a secondary outlet one may redirect their attention and energy. However, not all passions are equal. The dualistic model of passion proposes two passion types, which reflect either a harmonious (HP; i.e. adaptive) or obsessive (OP; i.e., compulsive) passion. The primary objective of the present study was to assess the role of passion type in moderating the association between gambling cravings and problem gambling. Prescreened high-risk gamblers (N=460; 273 males; M=41.0 years, SD=13.1) completed an online survey. Participants were classified as either HP (n=245) or OP (n=215) based on their type of passion for a non-gambling activity. The primary analysis revealed a weaker association between gambling cravings in the moment and problem gambling for HP individuals (B=0.92, p<0.001; 95%CI[0.35,1.48]) compared to OP individuals (B=2.03, p<0.001; 95%CI[1.54,2.52]). These findings indicate the potential benefits of non-gambling passions for high-risk gamblers. The implications of these findings will be discussed.

Implications

The present study assesses the benefits of non-gambling passions for high-risk gamblers. Findings revealed that possessing a non-gambling passion and engaging adaptively in this activity dampens the relation between gambling cravings and problem gambling. Thus, non-gambling passions may serve as an outlet for gamblers when experiencing strong cravings.

Keywords

Passion; Gambling; Positive Psychology; Cravings

Author Bios

Dr. Devin Mills is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences at Texas Tech University. His research explores the development of substance use disorders and behavioral addictions, specifically video gaming and gambling disorder, from social and personality psychological frameworks. In addition to studying the development of addictions, Dr. Mills also examines the factors that promote and sustain individuals' recovery from addiction.

Lauren Lewis is a doctoral student in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies at Texas Tech University under the supervision of Dr. Devin Mills and Dr. Antover Tuliao. She researches long term recovery from a positive psychological perspective, and aims to integrate passion into recovery from substance use. She has a MA in mental health counseling from the University of Northern Colorado and holds a general and addiction counseling license in both Colorado and Texas.

Uibin Lee is a doctoral student in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies at Texas Tech University. He received his master's degree in Psychology at Handong University, South Korea, and previously worked as a counselor at Korea Problem gambling agency. He is working as a research assistant with Dr. Devin Mills. His research applies social and personality psychology to the broad area of addiction. His dissertation will focus on the relation between greed and gambling.

Funding Sources

n/a

Competing Interests

n/a

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May 24th, 9:00 AM May 24th, 10:30 AM

Disrupting the relation between gambling cravings and problem gambling: The role of non-gambling passions

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Abstract

Having an alternative activity to gambling that one loves (i.e., a passion) is assumed to be associated with more adaptive outcomes among high-risk gamblers since it may point to players being less consumed by gambling. More specifically, when gambling cravings emerge, it is anticipated that having a non-gambling passion would represent a secondary outlet one may redirect their attention and energy. However, not all passions are equal. The dualistic model of passion proposes two passion types, which reflect either a harmonious (HP; i.e. adaptive) or obsessive (OP; i.e., compulsive) passion. The primary objective of the present study was to assess the role of passion type in moderating the association between gambling cravings and problem gambling. Prescreened high-risk gamblers (N=460; 273 males; M=41.0 years, SD=13.1) completed an online survey. Participants were classified as either HP (n=245) or OP (n=215) based on their type of passion for a non-gambling activity. The primary analysis revealed a weaker association between gambling cravings in the moment and problem gambling for HP individuals (B=0.92, p<0.001; 95%CI[0.35,1.48]) compared to OP individuals (B=2.03, p<0.001; 95%CI[1.54,2.52]). These findings indicate the potential benefits of non-gambling passions for high-risk gamblers. The implications of these findings will be discussed.

Implications

The present study assesses the benefits of non-gambling passions for high-risk gamblers. Findings revealed that possessing a non-gambling passion and engaging adaptively in this activity dampens the relation between gambling cravings and problem gambling. Thus, non-gambling passions may serve as an outlet for gamblers when experiencing strong cravings.