Cognitive and Psychosocial Variables Predicting Gambling Behavior in a Clinical Sample

Abstract

Previous studies have mostly examined cognitive and psychosocial variables that are critical to the cognitive behavioral conceptualization of Problem Gambling (PG) in community samples. This study aimed to assess whether cognitive and psychosocial variables (gambling refusal self-efficacy, gambling cognitions, gambling urges, comorbid negative psychological states, comorbid substance use/misuse, life satisfaction and quality of life) can predict gambling behaviour in a clinical sample. One hundred and thirty-nine volunteers for a PG self-help cognitive behaviour treatment program participated. Results showed that only perceived gambling refusal self-efficacy, cognitions of inability to stop gambling, hazardous drinking behaviors, and poor quality of life related to one’s environment, significantly predicted SOGS and/or CPGI scores. Significant interactions between gender and a number of variables including gambling cognitions (especially gambling expectancies), gambling refusal self-efficacy as well as quality of life related to physical or environmental health predicted gambling behaviour in this clinical sample.