How pathological gambling affects each partner in a romantic relationship

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Author(s): Ponti, Lucia ; Ilari, Annalisa ; Tani, Franca

Journal: Current Psychology

Year Published: 2019

Date Added: February 13, 2021

Pathological gambling harms individuals who gamble as well as their romantic partners. This study explored how it affects the quality of romantic relationships and attachment bonds between partners. The researchers recruited ‘clinical’ couples, where one partner had gambling disorder and the other did not. They compared the ‘clinical’ couples to ‘control’ couples, where neither partner had gambling disorder. Both partners in ‘clinical’ couples reported having a lower quality romantic relationship. This included more conflict, and less helpfulness and security. Both partners in ‘clinical’ couples also reported more anxiety and avoidance in their attachment bond to their partner.

Citation: Ponti, L., Ilari, A., & Tani, F. (2019). Pathological gambling and romantic relationships: The perception of the members of the couple regarding the quality of their relationship. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-019-00385-9

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-019-00385-9

Keywords: couple ; partners ; pathological gambling

Conceptual Framework Factors: Social - Family and Peer Gambling Involvement ; Social Factors

Response Rate: 75% of people accepted the invitation to participate. N=80 couples (160 individuals). The authors do not state how many people they invited to participate, but it is likely around 107 couples (80/107 = 75%)

Study Design: Observational: Cross-sectional

Geographic Coverage: Italy

Study Population: Adults in heterosexual relationships who live together (N = 80 couples). The clinical group had couples where one partner had gambling disorder and had been in treatment for less than one month (n = 35 couples). The control group had couples where neither partner had gambling disorder (n = 45 couples).

Sampling Procedure: Researchers recruited participants with gambling disorder who were seeking treatment from pathological gambling treatment centres, but who had received no more than one month of treatment. They recruited control participants from the district council office of the City of Florence.

Study Funding:

No funding was declared.