The purpose of this study was to examine self-report, behavioural, and electrophysiological indices of impulsivity in young adult gamblers and to understand the role of frontal brain regulatory processes in impulsive behaviour and decision making.
Study 1 aimed to provide a database for examining behavioural/neural systems underlying gambling behaviour in younger populations, and from which to recruit participants for Study 2. Plus, to use the database to examine models of impulsivity across individuals with varying gambling behaviour (from non-gamblers to high risk gamblers) and identify variables of interest for the analysis with the EEG data. Individuals at risk for PG (defined by CPGI) reported gambling more frequently and engaging in more gambling activities. They also reported higher impulsivity scores across all three measures of impulsivity.
Study 2 was conducted to ‘provide insight into the role of prefrontal cortex regulatory control of approach and avoidance drives in impulsivity elicited during an emotionally frustrating task and during reward evaluation’. A smaller subset of participants was selected for their gambling and impulsivity scores to complete ERP testing to determine the neural systems driving gambling behaviour. Data showed that participants’ behaviour on the EEG tasks was driven by avoidance of losses rather than pursuit of wins. There were not significant differences between the groups (i.e., those at risk vs. not at risk) on any of the ERP measures.
