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

Social Psychology | Social Work

Abstract

Abstract: This presentation reviews two studies that investigate different profiles of gamblers and video gamers across five facets of mindfulness and nonattachment using latent profile analyses. Study 1 identified four profiles among 843 adults who gamble (59.9% male, Mage=39 years): High, Moderate and Low Mindfulness, as well as a Judgmentally Unaware profile, characterized by low levels of nonjudging and acting with awareness. Gamblers with the Judgmentally Unware profile demonstrated more frequent gambling, stronger gambling motivations and gambling-related cognitions, more severe problem gambling, and poorer mental health compared to other profiles. Study 2 identified a different four-profile model among 629 adults who play video games (62.8% male, Mage=38 years): High and Moderate Mindfulness, Judgmentally Unware profile, and Reactive and Attached profile, characterized by high non-reacting and low nonattachment. Video gamers with the Judgmentally Unware profile evidenced the most severe problem gaming, followed by the Reactive and Attached profile. The Judgmentally Unware profile reported stronger gaming motivations and higher emotion-based impulsivity; in contrast, the Reactive and Attached profile demonstrated greater psychological inflexibility and escapism motivation relative to the other profiles. Implications of mindfulness profiles as risk and protective factors will be discussed in light of reducing harm for both gambling and video gaming.

Implications: Findings suggest a variety of ways in which gamblers and video gamers might be mindful. Given the overlap between gambling and gaming and the Judgmentally Unaware profile, mindfulness-based harm reduction intervention could be particularly useful for addressing problem gambling/video gaming and decreasing future harms from these activities.

Keywords

Mindfulness, Nonattachment, Problem gambling, Problem video gaming, Latent profile analysis

Author Bios

Vivien (Wen Li) Anthony, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor and Scientific Director for Video Gaming and eSports at the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University. Her research focuses on problem technology use, including video gaming, esports, gambling and other interactive technologies, as a type of behavioral addiction.

Jackie Stanmyre, MSW, ABD, is the Assistant Director of the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University. Her research focuses on gambling and sports wagering among athletes and coaches, mindfulness profiles among people who gamble, screening and interventions for problem gambling, and play-by-play analysis for online gambling and sports wagering.

Devin J. Mills, PhD is 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, he also examines the factors that promote and sustain individuals' recovery from addiction.

Lia Nower, JD, Ph.D. is Professor and Director of the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University. Her research focuses on etiology, treatment, policy initiatives around harm reduction and responsible gambling, and big data analyses of online gambling and sports wagering. She serves as a Senior Editor for Addiction and Assistant Editor of International Gambling Studies. Dr. Nower is also the 2022 recipient of the Lifetime Research Award from the National Council on Problem Gambling in Washington D.C.

Funding Sources

None

Competing Interests

None

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

The Nuance of Mindfulness among Gamblers and Video Game Players: Empirical Findings from Latent Profile Analysis and Links to Intervention for Problem Gambling and Problem Video Gaming

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Abstract: This presentation reviews two studies that investigate different profiles of gamblers and video gamers across five facets of mindfulness and nonattachment using latent profile analyses. Study 1 identified four profiles among 843 adults who gamble (59.9% male, Mage=39 years): High, Moderate and Low Mindfulness, as well as a Judgmentally Unaware profile, characterized by low levels of nonjudging and acting with awareness. Gamblers with the Judgmentally Unware profile demonstrated more frequent gambling, stronger gambling motivations and gambling-related cognitions, more severe problem gambling, and poorer mental health compared to other profiles. Study 2 identified a different four-profile model among 629 adults who play video games (62.8% male, Mage=38 years): High and Moderate Mindfulness, Judgmentally Unware profile, and Reactive and Attached profile, characterized by high non-reacting and low nonattachment. Video gamers with the Judgmentally Unware profile evidenced the most severe problem gaming, followed by the Reactive and Attached profile. The Judgmentally Unware profile reported stronger gaming motivations and higher emotion-based impulsivity; in contrast, the Reactive and Attached profile demonstrated greater psychological inflexibility and escapism motivation relative to the other profiles. Implications of mindfulness profiles as risk and protective factors will be discussed in light of reducing harm for both gambling and video gaming.

Implications: Findings suggest a variety of ways in which gamblers and video gamers might be mindful. Given the overlap between gambling and gaming and the Judgmentally Unaware profile, mindfulness-based harm reduction intervention could be particularly useful for addressing problem gambling/video gaming and decreasing future harms from these activities.