TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychological Factors that Promote and Inhibit Pathological Gambling
AU - Morasco, Benjamin J.
AU - Weinstock, Jeremiah
AU - Ledgerwood, David M.
AU - Petry, Nancy M.
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was supported in part by National Institutes of Health grants T32-AA07290, R01-MH60417, R01-MH60417-Supp, R01-DA13444, R01-DA14618, P50-AA03510, P50-DA09241, and from the Patrick and Catherine Weldon Donaghue Medical Research Foundation. We thank Yola Ammerman, Anne Doersch, Heather Gay, Cheryl Molina, Betsy Parker, Nicole Reilly, and Drs. Ronald Kadden and Karen Steinberg for assisting with this study.
PY - 2007/5
Y1 - 2007/5
N2 - This paper describes qualitative data regarding psychological factors that may affect gambling behavior among treatment-seeking pathological gamblers. Participants (n = 84) diagnosed with pathological gambling were treated in a clinical trial examining the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Qualitative data were collected from participants during each of 8 structured CBT sessions. Specific gambling-related psychological factors that were assessed include triggers, consequences, high-risk situations, craving experiences, assertiveness skills, cognitive distortions, and coping strategies. The most commonly reported triggers for gambling were lack of structured time and negative emotional state, which were similar to the high-risk times for gambling. The most frequently listed positive consequences of gambling were enjoyment associated with winning and use of gambling as an escape. Negative consequences of gambling included depressed mood, financial problems, and conflict with family. Coping strategies changed during treatment, as participants reported relying less upon avoidance and distraction, and became better able to utilize support networks and cognitive coping skills. These data are important to better understand the factors associated with the development, maintenance, and cessation of pathological gambling.
AB - This paper describes qualitative data regarding psychological factors that may affect gambling behavior among treatment-seeking pathological gamblers. Participants (n = 84) diagnosed with pathological gambling were treated in a clinical trial examining the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Qualitative data were collected from participants during each of 8 structured CBT sessions. Specific gambling-related psychological factors that were assessed include triggers, consequences, high-risk situations, craving experiences, assertiveness skills, cognitive distortions, and coping strategies. The most commonly reported triggers for gambling were lack of structured time and negative emotional state, which were similar to the high-risk times for gambling. The most frequently listed positive consequences of gambling were enjoyment associated with winning and use of gambling as an escape. Negative consequences of gambling included depressed mood, financial problems, and conflict with family. Coping strategies changed during treatment, as participants reported relying less upon avoidance and distraction, and became better able to utilize support networks and cognitive coping skills. These data are important to better understand the factors associated with the development, maintenance, and cessation of pathological gambling.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.cbpra.2006.02.005
DO - 10.1016/j.cbpra.2006.02.005
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:34247260952
SN - 1077-7229
VL - 14
SP - 208
EP - 217
JO - Cognitive and Behavioral Practice
JF - Cognitive and Behavioral Practice
IS - 2
ER -