Abstract
The prevalence of pathological gambling among college students is increasing. Few studies have directly examined the relation
between reward processing and gambling severity while concurrently examining the effects of co-occurring negative affect in
this at risk population. This study used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques to analyze results from an online survey
of 352 female and 96 male students age 18–25. Participants completed measures of past year gambling behavior and severity
of gambling problems using the Canadian Problem Gambling Index and the Problem Gambling Severity Index. Negative affect and
reward processing were measured by the 21-item version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales and the Behavioral Inhibition
System and Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scales, respectively. Thirty-five percent of participants reported gambling
in the previous 12 months, and 11% had gambling severity scores indicative of “moderate-risk” or “problem gambling.” Gambling
severity was associated with negative affect. Negative affect, in turn, was correlated with the unitary BIS scale and inversely
associated with the BAS reward responsiveness scale. Reward responsiveness was also inversely associated with gambling severity.
In the SEM models, the association between reward responsiveness and gambling severity was mediated by negative affect among
males but not among females. Potential explanations for these findings and their implications for addressing problem gambling
are discussed.
between reward processing and gambling severity while concurrently examining the effects of co-occurring negative affect in
this at risk population. This study used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques to analyze results from an online survey
of 352 female and 96 male students age 18–25. Participants completed measures of past year gambling behavior and severity
of gambling problems using the Canadian Problem Gambling Index and the Problem Gambling Severity Index. Negative affect and
reward processing were measured by the 21-item version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales and the Behavioral Inhibition
System and Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scales, respectively. Thirty-five percent of participants reported gambling
in the previous 12 months, and 11% had gambling severity scores indicative of “moderate-risk” or “problem gambling.” Gambling
severity was associated with negative affect. Negative affect, in turn, was correlated with the unitary BIS scale and inversely
associated with the BAS reward responsiveness scale. Reward responsiveness was also inversely associated with gambling severity.
In the SEM models, the association between reward responsiveness and gambling severity was mediated by negative affect among
males but not among females. Potential explanations for these findings and their implications for addressing problem gambling
are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-011-9273-x
- Authors
- John Atkinson, University of Texas School of Public Health, 7000 Fannin #2512, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Carla Sharp, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Joy Schmitz, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
- Ilya Yaroslavsky, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350