Self-reported impulsivity and inhibitory control in problem gamblers

Abstract

Impulsivity is considered a core feature of problem gambling; however, self-reported impulsivity and inhibitory control may reflect disparate constructs. We examined self-reported impulsivity and inhibitory control in 39 treatment-seeking problem gamblers and 41 matched controls using a range of self-report questionnaires and laboratory inhibitory control tasks. We also investigated differences between treatment-seeking problem gamblers who prefer strategic (e.g., sports betting) and nonstrategic (e.g., electronic gaming machines) gambling activities. Treatment-seeking problem gamblers demonstrated elevated self-reported impulsivity, more go errors on the Stop Signal Task, and a lower gap score on the Random Number Generation task than matched controls. However, overall we did not find strong evidence that treatment-seeking problem gamblers are more impulsive on laboratory inhibitory control measures. Furthermore, strategic and nonstrategic problem gamblers did not differ from their respective controls on either self-reported impulsivity questionnaires or laboratory inhibitory control measures. Contrary to expectations, our results suggest that inhibitory dyscontrol may not be a key component for some treatment-seeking problem gamblers.

The Relationship Between Problem Gambling and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

“…These findings support previous findings that treatment-seeking problem gamblers with ADHD display higher impulsivity (Grall- (Grall-Bronnec et al 2011;Specker et al 1995) than their non-ADHD counterparts. They are also consistent with the notion of an antisocial impulsivist subgroup of problem gamblers (Blaszczynski and Nower 2002;Milosevic and Ledgerwood 2010;Suomi et al 2014) and the considerable empirical literature supporting the existence of a cluster of symptoms, including impulsivity, cluster B personality disorders, and problem gambling (Brown et al 2014;Lorains et al 2011Lorains et al , 2014Suomi et al 2014). These findings suggest that ADHD complicates the clinical profile of problem gamblers presenting to gambling treatment agencies.…”

“…In this research, the subtypes that most closely resemble the antisocial impulsivist pathway are most likely to be comprised of young, male problem gamblers (Milosevic and Ledgerwood 2010;Suomi et al 2014). There is also a large extant literature that supports the existence of significant relationships between substance abuse, impulsivity (including motor impulsivity, attentional impulsivity, nonplanning impulsivity, negative urgency, low premeditation, low perseverance, and positive urgency), cluster B disorders (antisocial, borderline, histrionic and narcissistic), and problem gambling (Brown et al 2014;Dowling et al 2014;Lorains et al 2011Lorains et al , 2014Suomi et al 2014). Very little, however, is currently known about the role ADHD plays in this cluster of psychiatric symptoms.…”

Problem gambling and internalising symptoms: A longitudinal analysis of common and specific social environmental protective factors

“…While there is a large body of literature detailing risk factors for problem gambling (e.g., Dowling et al, 2014;Lorains, Stout, Bradshaw, Dowling, & Enticott, 2014), there is a paucity of research examining protective factors. Further, many of the risk factors identified in cross-sectional studies have not been identified in subsequent longitudinal studies (Shead et al, 2010), suggesting that many of these apparent 'risk factors' are in fact consequences of problem gambling, or co-exist because they share common causes.…”

An Empirical Study of Personality Disorders Among Treatment-Seeking Problem Gamblers

“…Impulsivity has been extensively studied in the context of BPD, with most studies finding strong positive associations between BPD symptomatology and impulsivity (Berlin and Rolls 2004;Chapman et al 2008;Fossati et al 2004). Empirical findings have also consistently indicated that impulsivity is of particular importance to the development of problem gambling (Lorains et al 2014;Suomi et al 2014).…”