Abstract
Problems with self-control are seen as a key cause of problem gambling behavior. Yet, self-control is rarely studied directly
in gambling studies. We demonstrated that self-report and behavioral measures (derived from the strength model of self-control)
show lower trait self-control in problem gamblers. In Study 1, a sample of 2,208 undergraduate students from the University
of Guelph, Canada (73% female, mean age = 19 years, SD = 4) completed a self-report measure of self-control strength. In Study
2, a sample of 296 University of Guelph students and staff (58% female, mean age = 19 years, SD = 2) completed multiple behavioral
measures of self-control strength. Both studies demonstrated that, compared to lower-risk gamblers, higher-risk gamblers have
relative trait self-control deficits.
in gambling studies. We demonstrated that self-report and behavioral measures (derived from the strength model of self-control)
show lower trait self-control in problem gamblers. In Study 1, a sample of 2,208 undergraduate students from the University
of Guelph, Canada (73% female, mean age = 19 years, SD = 4) completed a self-report measure of self-control strength. In Study
2, a sample of 296 University of Guelph students and staff (58% female, mean age = 19 years, SD = 2) completed multiple behavioral
measures of self-control strength. Both studies demonstrated that, compared to lower-risk gamblers, higher-risk gamblers have
relative trait self-control deficits.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-011-9274-9
- Authors
- Anne E. Bergen, Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Ian R. Newby-Clark, Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Andrea Brown, Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350