Emotion regulation links problem gambling to depression in emerging adult gamblers

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Author(s): Marchica, Loredana ; Mills, Devin J. ; Keough, Matthew T. ; Montreuil, Tina C. ; Derevensky, Jeffrey L.

Journal: Journal of Affective Disorders

Year Published: 2019

Date Added: November 06, 2019

Up to 10% of emerging adults (ages 18–27) are at risk of experiencing problem gambling. Problem gambling can cause financial, social, physical, and emotional harms. Problem gambling may be linked to mood disorders and emotion regulation. This study tested whether emotion regulation affected depression levels and problem gambling.

Not being able to control one’s impulse when feeling emotional was directly linked to increased risk of problem gambling. Depression was linked to problem gambling through its relation to emotion regulation. People with poorer emotion regulation were more likely to experience depression and problem gambling. Therefore, emotion regulation abilities are responsible for the link between problem gambling and depression.

Citation: Marchica, L. A., Mills, D. J., Keough, M. T., Montreuil, T. C., & Derevensky, J. L. (2019). Emotion regulation in emerging adult gamblers and its mediating role with depressive symptomology. Journal of Affective Disorders, 258, 74-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.078

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.078

Keywords: adolescents ; depression ; emotional dysregulation ; gambling

Topics: Anxiety and Depression ; Children and Youth ; Comorbidities ; Priority Populations

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological - Comorbid Disorders ; Psychological - Lifespan Development ; Biological Factors ; Biological - Neurobiology

Study Design: Observational: Cross-sectional

Geographic Coverage: Canada ; United States of America

Study Population: Emerging adults (ages 18-27 years old)

Sampling Procedure: The researchers recruited the participants by circulating flyers about the study, posting it on online discussion boards (e.g. Reddit, Facebook, Craigslist) directed to the general Canadian population. They also recruited students through university participation pools and used Amazon’s Mturk to recruit participants from anywhere in North America.

Study Funding:

This research was funded by the Manitoba Gambling Research Program of Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. The first author is supported by a doctoral scholarship from the Fonds de Recherche Société et Culture Québec (FRQSC)- Concerted Actions program.