Examining the role of responsible gambling in associations between symptoms of trauma, gambling disorder, and gambling motivations: Results from a representative U.S. sample

Session Title

Poster Session

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Location

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Start Date

24-5-2023 10:30 AM

End Date

24-5-2023 11:15 AM

Disciplines

Community Psychology | Developmental Psychology | Health Psychology | Personality and Social Contexts | Quantitative Psychology | Social Psychology

Abstract

Abstract

Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have consistently demonstrated a connection between symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and gambling disorder (GD) in both general and clinical U.S. populations. Limited research, however, has focused on the associations between PTSD symptomology and responsible gambling (RG) practices, as well as the potential mediating role RG might have in the relationship between symptoms of PTSD, GD, and different gambling motivations (e.g., coping). RG programs have gained increasing favor with public health and industry officials as a possible way to better reduce some of the negative consequences tied to common risky gambling behaviors and beliefs in the larger population. Despite the proclaimed successes of several RG programs, though, additional research is required to better understand how both general and specific RG practices are linked to PTSD symptoms and disordered gambling. Therefore, this study investigated the current relationship between symptoms of PTSD and GD, gambling motivations, and RG practices in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (N = 2,806).

Implications

  • This research has the potential to identify specific and general responsible gambling practices that act as protective factors against disordered gambling when endorsed and risk factors for it when not used.
  • Understanding the efficacy of different RG approaches for different populations may be the most straightforward path toward reducing the harms caused by the public’s participation in gambling.

Keywords

PTSD, gambling disorder, responsible gambling, trauma, coping motivations

Author Bios

Anthony King, M.A., is a fourth-year graduate student in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Anthony moved to Las Vegas when he was 18 years old and spent over 14 years in the hospitality industry on the Las Vegas Strip before pursuing his doctoral degree. His primary research interests revolve around examining the biopsychosocial factors contributing to substance and behavioral addictions, with a particular emphasis on developing innovative, evidence-based strategies for combating these disorders in prevention and treatment programs.

Gloria Wong-Padoongpatt, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at UNLV. The centerpiece of her research focuses on mental health issues among marginalized individuals. Her work on addictions examines the ethnic and gender differences in risk factors. Gloria also investigates the impact, mechanisms, and individual variations in stress responses to microaggressions, an everyday form of discrimination. More recently, she has investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the most vulnerable communities.

Shane W. Kraus, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at UNLV, and the Director of the Behavioral Addictions Lab at UNLV. Dr. Kraus uses behavioral, epidemiological, and neurobiological methods to assess factors that contribute to the development of addictive behaviors among US military veterans. He has published over 140 scholarly works in substance use, trauma, sexual behavior, and gambling disorder.

Joshua Grubbs, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at Bowling Green State University where he studies compulsive sexual behavior disorder, gambling disorder, and personality traits. He is especially interested in the social construction of addiction and understanding what leads people to feel out of control in their behavior. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles on these topics and others.

Funding Sources

This work was funded via grants from the International Center for Responsible Gaming and the Kindbridge Research Institute awarded to JBG and SWK. The funders had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Competing Interests

During the past 3 years, the authors of this poster have received funding from the International Center for Responsible Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies, Taylor Francis, Springer Nature, The Nevada Problem Gambling Project, Sports Betting Alliance, and Kindbridge Research Institute.

Comments

Please let me know if you need anything else from us. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Anthony King

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May 24th, 10:30 AM May 24th, 11:15 AM

Examining the role of responsible gambling in associations between symptoms of trauma, gambling disorder, and gambling motivations: Results from a representative U.S. sample

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Abstract

Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have consistently demonstrated a connection between symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and gambling disorder (GD) in both general and clinical U.S. populations. Limited research, however, has focused on the associations between PTSD symptomology and responsible gambling (RG) practices, as well as the potential mediating role RG might have in the relationship between symptoms of PTSD, GD, and different gambling motivations (e.g., coping). RG programs have gained increasing favor with public health and industry officials as a possible way to better reduce some of the negative consequences tied to common risky gambling behaviors and beliefs in the larger population. Despite the proclaimed successes of several RG programs, though, additional research is required to better understand how both general and specific RG practices are linked to PTSD symptoms and disordered gambling. Therefore, this study investigated the current relationship between symptoms of PTSD and GD, gambling motivations, and RG practices in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (N = 2,806).

Implications

  • This research has the potential to identify specific and general responsible gambling practices that act as protective factors against disordered gambling when endorsed and risk factors for it when not used.
  • Understanding the efficacy of different RG approaches for different populations may be the most straightforward path toward reducing the harms caused by the public’s participation in gambling.