Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Sports Wagering In The United States: What We Do And Don't Know, Joshua B. Grubbs, Shane W. Kraus

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract

In the wake of the Murphy vs. NCAA decision by the Supreme Court of the United States, over 30 states now permit sports betting and a majority of Americans now have access to this activity. Even so, much remains unknown about the effects of widespread access to sports betting in the U.S. The present work reports interim results of multi-year data collection efforts in the U.S. In April of 2022, a U.S. nationally representative sample of 2,806 Americans and an additional sample of 1,553 sports wagering people were recruited by YouGov opinion polling, with follow up data collected in …

Does Gambling-Focused Treatment Affect Mental Health And Quality Of Life? A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Shelby King, David P. Forman, Meredith K. Ginley, Samuel C. Peter, Nicholas W. Mcafee, James Whelan Ph.D, Rory A. Pfund

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract: Cognitive-behavioral (CB) techniques have received substantial empirical support for reducing gambling disorder symptoms and behavior. What has not been established is whether gambling-focused treatment reduces psychological problems and improves quality of life. Individuals experiencing gambling-related harms report that sustained recovery involves changing both gambling behaviors and psychological problems and building a meaningful life. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the effect of CB techniques targeting gambling harms on nontargeted outcomes such as psychological problems and quality of life.

Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic article search was conducted to locate published studies of randomized controlled trials of …

Examining The Interaction Between Financial Gambling Motives And Socioeconomic Status In Predicting Gambling In A U.S. Nationally Representative Sample, Christopher G. Floyd, Shane W. Kraus, Joshua B. Grubbs

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Presentation Abstract:

There is still much unknown about the socioeconomic (SES) roots of Problem Gambling (PG), especially given recent evidence that SES should be understood both in objective and subjective terms. Further, the motivation to gambler for financial gain has been identified as a key factor in the transition from recreational gambling to problem gambling. A such, there is a need for research seeking to understand how SES and perceived financial deprivation influence the relationship between motivations for gambling—particularly financial motives—and outcomes of gambling. Using a weighted, nationally representative sample of adults in the U.S. (N = 2,806), as …

Does Twitter User Activity Promote Gambling-Related Content?, Marcos Lerma, Rory A. Pfund Ph.D, Adrianna J. Valencia, E. Halle Smith, James Whelan Ph.D

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Social media has provided gambling operators with access to millions of individuals and novel ways to promote gambling. Research has suggested that exposure to gambling advertisements on social media platforms is associated with increased gambling in individuals at-risk for problem gambling. These findings bring into question whether social media platforms are sensitive to differences in user account activity (e.g., tweets, likes, accounts visited) when displaying advertisements and gambling-related content.

To assess for these differences, four Twitter accounts were created and assigned to send out tweets containing pro-wagering versus safe-wagering-related messages. Additionally, one of each account was assigned to interact with …

Predicting Psychotherapy Session Attendance Among Individuals Experiencing Gambling-Related Harms, Hannah G. Mitchell, Meredith K. Ginley, James Whelan Ph.D, Rory A. Pfund Ph.D

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Almost 2 in 5 individuals experiencing gambling-related harms will initiate treatment and then prematurely discontinue. However, studies have proven unsuccessful in identifying a consistent set of variables that predict discontinuation. The absence of consistent findings may be attributed to 1) disparate definitions of discontinuation and 2) the focus on demographic variables rather than personal history variables that might impact the receipt of treatment. The present study intends to improve upon existing research by focusing on treatment participation (i.e., number of sessions attended) rather than discontinuation and examining a broader set of variables that are specific to an individual’s gambling and …

Symptom Clusters In Individuals Seeking Treatment For Gambling Disorder, Blaine Stiglets

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) presents the criteria for Gambling Disorder (GD) as a unidimensional construct where each additional symptom corresponds to increased severity. Research has found that many individuals experience addiction symptoms in specific symptom clusters, with membership to one profile of symptoms or other better-representing disorder severity than raw symptom counts. This study sought to explore if similar patterns of symptom clusters exist among adults seeking treatment for gambling harms. The sample included 487 adults (M_age= 44.95) who completed the DSM-5 criteria for GD at intake. Latent …

Transdiagnostic Prevention And Intervention Efforts Are Needed To Address Executive Dysfunction, Maria E. Meinerding Ms, Margaret L. Paul Bs, Trinity N. Zweifel, Michael L. Mathews, Jeremiah Weinstock Phd, Rory A. Pfund Phd

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract: Executive functioning (EF) is a multi-faceted construct important to activities of daily living, emotion regulation, and higher-order thinking and is often impaired in individuals with gambling disorder and/or alcohol use disorders. Deficits in EF are associated with poor treatment engagement, psychiatric comorbidities, and relapse. The present study examined EF in college students (N = 832) aged 18-24 (M= 19.23, SD=1.37, 76.5% Women) in relation to gambling and hazardous drinking. The Barkley’s Deficits in Executive Functioning was used to assess for global EF and 5 facets of EF: Time Management, Organization/Problem Solving, Self-Restraint, Self-Motivation, and Emotion-Regulation. Bivariate correlation …

Measurement Models Matter: How Retrospective Calendar Versus Global Reports Yield Different Estimates Of Treatment Outcome, Margaret L. Paul Bs, Maria E. Meinerding Ms, Jeremiah Weinstock Phd, Meredith K. Ginley, James P. Whelan Phd, Rory A. Pfund

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract: Retrospective reports are less accurate than objective measures of behavior and must be interpreted with consideration of the amount of distortion and error introduced by this methodology. The Gambling-Timeline Followback (G-TLFB) method is the gold standard retrospective assessment tool that is designed to minimize such error by asking for a specific recall of precise gambling behavior day-by-day using recall aids as compared to a global summation over time (e.g., how many gambling days in last month, how much money gambled in the last month). It remains an empirical question whether this difference in measurement format, G-TLFB versus global reports, …

Differences In Positive Play Among Specific Sports Wagering Behaviors, Alexander Connolly, Shane W. Kraus, Joshua Grubbs

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Presentation Abstract:

Since the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Murphy vs. NCAA, a majority of states have legalized and launched sports gambling. With the increased prevalence of sports wagering, there are many concerns about possible increases in problem gambling and the effects of specific wagering behaviors (e.g., in-game bets vs. pre-game bets; money-line wagers vs. parlay cards) on problem gambling outcomes. More generally, while the literature surrounding sports gambling is increasing, little is known about specific wagering practices. Similarly, little is known about how responsible gaming practices (i.e., as measured by the Positive Play Scale) might be related to specific …

High Illusion Of Control Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Analyses Of The Effects Of Forms Of Counterfactual Thinking And Gender In Problem Gambling And Gaming, Larry Okechukwu Awo Dr., George Nzeadi Duru Mr.

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract

Three studies (Study 1, N = 322 male adolescents, Study 2, N = 401 male and female adolescents, and Study 3, longitudinal, N = 56 male and female adolescents) analyzed the effects cognitive and psychographic variables in the relationships among illusion of control (IC), problem gambling and problem gaming. Moderated mediation analyses results using PROCESS macro in the three studies confirmed: (1) the positive mediating effect of upward CFT in the association between IC and problem gambling and problem gaming; (2) the negative mediating effect of downward CFT in the association between IC and problem gambling and problem gaming; …

The Push And Pull Of Nostalgia: Sentimental Longing In A Fundamental Component Of The Behavior Change Process, Michael J. A. Wohl, Mackenzie Dowson, Isabelle Bossom, Responsible Gambling Council, Nassim Tabri

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract: Behavior change is hard, and the recovery process is equally as challenging. Yet a paucity of research has been conducted on factors that motivated and undermine sustained behavior change. In this talk, we will discuss a growing body of work that suggests nostalgic reverie (i.e., sentimental longing) is a critical factor in both the behavior change and recovery process among people living with a gambling disorder. First, we will report the results of research (Study 1) that demonstrates nostalgic reverie for life before one’s problematic gambling behaviour facilitates behaviour change. We will then report the results of new research …

Motivations For Loot Box Engagement In Video Games And Related Characteristics, Will Shead, Breanna Huggan

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Presentation Abstract: Loot boxes are features of some video games that contain random gameplay-enhancing or cosmetic items. Players may purchase loot boxes with real-world currency which has led to growing concern that loot boxes are a form gambling without regulations and age restrictions. Previous research has found associations between loot box purchases and problem gambling but limited work has examined possible factors involved in this relationship. One hundred and forty-four participants completed an online questionnaire assessing relationships between loot box use, problem gambling and gaming, and video game streaming behaviors. Bivariate correlations revealed no significant associations between risky loot box …

Psychosocial Characteristics Of Gambling Addicts – Does It Matter When They Start Their Treatment?, Neven Ricijas Phd, Dora Dodig Hundric Phd, Sabina Mandic Ma, Sanja Radic Bursac Ma, Davor Bodor Phd

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract:

Gambling disorder is well known as a hidden addiction and therefore is subjected to a prolonged time in seeking treatment. During the development of addiction, the psychosocial functioning is more openly or covertly disrupted, and gambling addicts manifest various problems and risky behaviors. At the same time, motivational mechanism for seeking professional help are complex and influenced by different individual circumstances.

This study was conducted with N=315 patients in the Daily Clinic for Gambling Addiction. The psychosocial functioning of the patients is assessed at the beginning of the treatment, while a specific aim of this paper is to explore …

What Symptoms Of Disordered Gambling, Disordered Eating, Anxiety, And Depression Co-Occur? The Explanatory Power Of Network Analysis, Nassim Tabri, Melissa Salmon, Samantha Hollingshead, Michael Wohl

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

An abstract (not to exceed 200 words)

Disordered gamblers often exhibit comorbid psychiatric disorders, however, little is known about how or why these disorders co-occur. We posit that comorbidity is likely the result of one or more symptoms of disordered gambling being strongly associated with one or more symptoms of other disorders. To test this idea, we conducted a network analysis to identify relations between individual symptoms of disordered gambling, disordered eating, anxiety, and depression in a representative sample of Canadians from the Bay of Quinte region of Ontario (N=4121). Results indicated that chasing one’s losses was a central symptom …

The Risk For Developing Disordered Gambling: Equal For Every Player? Implications For Research, Policy And Consumer Protection, Gerhard Buehringer

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Aims: (1) To introduce the concept of individual vulnerability for developing a gambling disorder (GD), (2) to question gambling supply reduction and access limitations as effective GD prevention strategies and (3) to derive short- and long-term implications for research, gambling regulation and consumer protection of vulnerable gamblers. Background: Gambling regulation is currently based on the assumption that participants have similar risks for the development of GD based on individual, social and predominantly gambling-related risk factors. Consequently, GD prevention mainly relies on supply and access limitations and “rational” consumer information and warnings within the Responsible Gambling concept. However, it remains …

Binge Eating And Gambling Are Prospectively Associated With Common And Distinct Deficits In Emotion Regulation Among Community Women, Sarah M. Farstad, Kristin M. Von Ranson

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

This study compared facets of emotion regulation associated prospectively with binge eating and problem gambling to elucidate similarities and differences between eating pathology and a behavioral addiction. Women from the community (N = 202) who engaged in at-risk binge eating (n = 79), at-risk gambling (n = 36), or both behaviors (n = 87) completed four online assessments over six months. Baseline and six-month surveys assessed self-reported emotion dysregulation (including negative urgency and positive urgency), binge eating, and gambling; the abbreviated two- and four-month surveys assessed binge eating and gambling only. Binge eating and problem gambling were …

Improving Diagnostic Accuracy: Text Comprehension And Detection Of Gambling Disorder, Samuel C. Peter, James P. Whelan, Rory A. Pfund, Andrew W. Meyers

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

No abstract provided.

Gender Differences In Treatment Seeking Gamblers With A Comorbid Eating Disorder, Maryam Sharif-Razi, Kristin M. Von Ranson

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract: Recent literature suggests that gambling and eating disorders may co-occur more frequently than once thought. However, no studies have directly examined whether gender differences exist in comorbid gambling and eating disorders. The present study investigated gender differences in current gambling behaviors, gambling severity, gambling-related cognitive distortions, and psychiatric comorbidities in dual-diagnosed participants. The sample consisted of 349 treatment-seeking gamblers at a university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Gambling disorder and other psychiatric comorbidities were assessed via comprehensive clinical interviews. Of the total sample, 43 participants met criteria for both a gambling and eating disorder, and subsequently completed a series …

Redesigning Gambling Treatment Programs For Success: A Model Based Approach Toward Program Development, Jeffrey J. Marotta, Greta Coe

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract

This presentation will describe a program improvement initiative launched by Oregon Problem Gambling Services to assist with the development of its 47 publicly-funded gambling treatment programs. The development approach incorporated best practices as identified by SAMHSA, the gambling disorders literature, and expert review. The resulting Technical Assistance Visit Toolkit & Gambling Treatment Program Capability Index (GTPCI) offer a streamline program improvement protocol for use specifically with gambling treatment programs. The presenters will share their experience in implementing this program development approach, merits of the model, and program results.

Implications

This presentation will introduce participants to a model and evaluation …

Interventions For Problem And Pathological Gambling: Status, Innovations, And Challenges, Matthew P. Martens

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

The purpose of this presentation is to address research on the effectiveness of problem gambling interventions and offer insights for new directions. Dr. Martens has led two clinical trials over the past five years that have integrated technology into problem gambling interventions for young adults. In the first trial (Martens et al., 2015), he found that a computerized personalized feedback intervention reduced gambling problems among at-risk young adult gamblers. In the second trial (Martens et al., in preparation), he found that an intervention delivered via cell phone and text-message had an indirect effect on gambling-related problems. Although effect sizes for …

The Efficacy Of The “Who Really Wins?” Youth Gambling Prevention Program – Preliminary Results From The First National Implementation Study, Neven Ricijas Ph.D., Dora Dodig Hundric Ph.D., Sanja Radic Bursac Ma, Ana Rakic Ma

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

“Who really wins” is the first comprehensive youth gambling prevention program developed and implemented in Croatia, based on a national research study on a representative sample of high-school students, conducted at the University of Zagreb. The Program was developed, piloted and modified between 2012 – 2014. Its pilot implementation was performed in 2 high-schools in the City of Zagreb, by the authors of the Program and evaluation results indicated a decrease in risk factors, namely better knowledge about gambling and less gambling related cognitive distortions among training group, compared to a control group of students (Huić et al., 2017).

In …

Using Misconceptions To Improve Education Programs That Aim To Prevent Gambling Problems, Brittany Keen, Alex Blaszczynski, Fadi Anjoul

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

No abstract provided.

Cognitive Restructuring For The Treatment Of Gambling Related Thoughts: A Systematic Review, Maxime Chrétien, Isabelle Giroux, Annie Goulet, Christian Jacques, Stéphane Bouchard

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Cognitive restructuring is the best practice for treating gambling related thoughts, but some therapists do not apply this technique due to a lack of training regarding its application. The increase of skill game players (e.g., poker) entering treatment adds a challenge for therapists because these gamblers present with different thoughts than those of other gamblers usually encountered in treatment (e.g., EGM). This systematic review aims to describe how cognitive restructuring is carried out with gamblers, particularly skill game players, based on the evidence available in empirical studies that include cognitive interventions for gambling. Of the 2607 studies collected, 41 were …

Indicators Of Clinically Significant Gambling Treatment Gains, Meredith K. Ginley, Walter R. Winfree, James P. Whelan, Rory A. Pfund, Andrew W. Meyers

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Treatments should be tailored to the individual in order to improve their effectiveness and efficiency. An assessment of treatment gains is essential to this goal, particularly the ability to identify when clinically significant change is achieved. This paper will examine the sensitivity and specificity of two constructs that moderate change for gambling-focused treatments: self-efficacy to control gambling and strength of gambling-related cognitive distortions.

Participants completed measures of gambling symptoms: the Gambling Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (GSEQ) to assess self-efficacy to control gambling, and the Gamblers’ Beliefs Questionnaire to assess cognitive distortions (GBQ). Included was a clinical sample of 312 treatment-seeking outpatient disordered …

Gambling Warning Messages: The Impact Of Winning And Losing On Message Reception Across A Gambling Episode, Rory A. Pfund, Meredith K. Ginley, Samuel C. Peter, James P. Whelan, Andrew W. Meyers

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Warning messages prevent and modify risk-taking behaviors. When controlling the outcome of each wager, studies suggest such messages can increase a player’s knowledge about gambling-specific risks, modify their gambling-related cognitive distortions, and even change play. The present study takes the next step by asking if the reception of the warning message is influenced by the player’s experience of winning or losing.

In a laboratory study, participants were randomly assigned to a winning or losing gambling experience where they either viewed periodic warning messages or not. Using a mixed model analysis, the influence of the warning messages was related to players’ …

Self-Help Treatment For At-Risk And Pathological Gamblers: Results From An Efficacy Study, Catherine Boudreault, Isabelle Giroux, Annie Goulet, Christian Jacques, Hélène Simoneau, Robert Ladouceur

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Available evidence suggests that self-help treatments may reduce problem gambling severity and gambling behaviour. However, decrease of gambling among control groups and rare assessment of key variables associated with improvement across studies leave the benefits of self-help treatments for problem gambling unclear. The current study assesses the efficacy of a self-help treatment program including three motivational telephone interviews spread over an 11-week period and a cognitive-behavioral self-help workbook. At-risk and pathological gamblers were randomly assigned to the treatment group (n = 31) or the waiting list (n = 31). Relative to the waiting list, the treatment group presented …

The Behavioral Analysis Of Gambling, Benjamin Witts, Anne Macaskill, Mack Costello

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

A behavioral analysis of gambling is unique among the psychologies. A behavioral analysis seeks answers to questions pertaining to the prediction and influence of gambling in terms of the individual gambler, and thus emphasis is placed on well-controlled small-n studies in which findings are generalized to other individuals. Further, the behavioral analysis of gambling is concerned with environmental and historical relations in accounting for current gambling behavior, and less of a reliance is placed on internal and hypothetical causal factors. This symposium explores two data-driven analyses of gambling behavior from a behavioral account of gambling while a third conceptual and …

Technology-Based Brief Interventions For At-Risk Young Adult Gamblers, Matthew P. Martens

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

The purpose of this presentation to discuss my work developing and evaluating the efficacy of brief interventions designed to reduce at-risk gambling and related negative consequences among young adults. Research has established that young adults, especially college students, are more likely to meet classification for “disordered” gambling than the general adult population (Blinn et al., 2007). Brief interventions that incorporate personalized feedback have been shown to be efficacious at motivating behavior change among young adults (Cronce & Larimer, 2011). The purpose of this presentation will be to discuss my efforts at extending this work to the area of at-risk gambling. …

Narcissism, Sensation Seeking, Depression, Anxiety, And Cognitive Distortions: Comparative Analysis Between Poker And Video Lottery Terminal Players, David Levesque B.A., Serge Sevigny Ph.D., Christian Jacques M.Ps., Isabelle Giroux Ph.D.

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

According to the psycho-structural interaction model, the interaction between structural characteristics of a gambling game and player’s characteristics could foster the development of gambling problems. Those interactions may vary according to the types of game played. This study aims to compare poker and video lottery terminals players (VLTs) on six psychological characteristics (narcissism, sensation seeking, depression, anxiety, cognitive distortions and problem gambling severity) and to examine cognitive distortions as a mediator between personality/mood disturbance and problem gambling severity. The sample consisted of 191 poker players and 81 VLT players. Standard assessments were completed online and by phone within a cross-sectional …