Gambling-Related Distortions and Problem Gambling in Adolescents: A Model to Explain Mechanisms and Develop Interventions

Abstract

Although a number of gambling preventive initiatives have been realized with adolescents, many of them have been developed in absence of a clear and explicitly described theoretical model. The present work was aimed to analyze the adequacy of a model to explain gambling behavior referring to gambling-related cognitive distortions (Study 1), and to verify the effectiveness of a preventive intervention developed on the basis of this model (Study 2). Following dual-process theories on cognitive functioning, in Study 1 we tested a model in which mindware gap, i.e., susceptibility to the gambler's fallacy, and contaminated mindware, i.e., superstitious thinking, were the antecedents of gambling-related cognitive distortions that, in turn, affect gambling frequency and problem gambling. Participants were 306 male adolescents (M age = 17.2 years). A path analysis indicated that cognitive distortions have a mediating role in the relationship that links probabilistic reasoning fallacy and superstitious thinking with problem gambling. Following these findings, in Study 2 we developed a school-based intervention aimed to reduce gambling-related cognitive distortions acting on the above cited mindware problems. A pre-and post-test design -with a 6 months follow-up -was performed with 34 male adolescents (M age = 16.8), randomly assigned to two groups (Training and No Training), and their baseline equivalence was verified. A Mixed 2 × 2 ANOVA attested a significant Time X Group interaction, indicating a significant reduction of the cognitive distortions from pre-test to post-test only in the Training group. The follow-up attested to the stability of the training effects and the reduction of gambling frequency over time. These findings suggest that prevention strategies should address mindware problems, which can be considered as predictors of gambling-related cognitive distortions.

Mentalizing Failures, Emotional Dysregulation, and Cognitive Distortions Among Adolescent Problem Gamblers

“…Here, gamblers enter a self-deception loop in which the odds of winning appear greater than the possible losses. These results are in line with previous findings among both adult (Ciccarelli et al 2016a, b;Labrador et al 2020) and adolescent samples (Ciccarelli et al 2017;Cosenza and Nigro 2015;Cosenza et al 2019;Donati et al 2018) and confirm the role of cognitive distortions in fostering gambling involvement.…”

How learning misconceptions can improve outcomes and youth engagement with gambling education programs

“…Importantly, misconceptions about gambling appear to constitute a convincing predictor of gambling problems (Barrault & Varescon, 2012;Devynck, Giroux, & Jacques, 2012;Fortune & Goodie, 2012;Joukhador, Blaszczynski, & Maccallum, 2004;Lévesque, Sévigny, Giroux, & Jacques, 2018;Mathieu, Barrault, Brunault, & Varescon, 2018;Miller & Currie, 2008;Oei, Lin, & Raylu, 2008;Toneatto, 1999;Toneatto, Blitz-Miller, Calderwood, Dragonetti, & Tsanos, 1997;Toplak, Liu, Macpherson, Toneatto, & Stanovich, 2007) as well as among adolescents (Cosenza & Nigro, 2015;Donati et al, 2018). This research suggests that gambling-related misconceptions serve an important developmental role in the learning process gamblers undergoes during some of their first early gambling experiences, and may provide a fruitful avenue for early intervention or prevention of gambling problems.…”

“…A number of empirical studies have concluded that misunderstanding gambling-related mathematics concepts plays an important role in the development and maintenance of gambling problems, and that better understanding these might help prevent the onset of problems (Donati et al, 2018;Ferland, Ladouceur, & Vitaro, 2002;Ladouceur, Ferland, & Vitaro, 2004;Ladouceur, Ferland, Vitaro, & Pelletier, 2005;Lavoie & Ladouceur, 2004). However, not all findings have been positive.…”

Adolescent problem gambling requires community-level health promotion approaches

“…In line with these recommendations, studies have started to assess the effectiveness of preventative broad-based adolescent gambling interventions, including those implemented in school settings. One such recent school-based study evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention targeting a general sample of adolescents, including those not deemed to be at risk for problem gambling (Donati et al 2018). The intervention focussed on undermining gambling-related cognitive distortions by reducing probabilistic reasoning errors and superstitious thinking.…”

“…While awareness of problems caused by gambling during adolescence has been steadily increasing, public health responses to this issue have been slow to develop versus other key health concerns in young people. Consequently, research indicates that despite some largely crude government-implemented restrictive and health promotion measures, many minors participate in illegal gambling that places them at a greater risk for problematic gambling behaviour compared to adults (Griffiths 2011;Donati et al 2018). Along with a number of established and emerging psychological theories, research likewise indicates that problem gambling in youth is an expression of underlying problematic behaviours and beliefs.…”