Females' coping styles and control over poker machine gambling

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Pathological gambling is a significant public health concern.
• Understanding the psychological factors, such as coping strategies, associated with gambling behavior is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between impaired control over gambling and the use of different coping strategies among female poker machine players.
• To examine the association between demographic variables and gambling control.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted with 163 female poker machine players in Victoria, Australia.
• Impaired control over gambling was assessed using the Impaired Control Over Gambling Scale.
• Coping strategies were measured using an adaptation of the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was found between lower gambling control and increased reliance on emotion-focused coping strategies (e.g., blaming self, wishful thinking, avoidance).
• No significant relationship was found between gambling control and problem-focused coping strategies (e.g., problem focus, seeking social support).
• Gambling control was not significantly related to demographic variables such as age, employment, relationship status, education, or distress from life events.

Conclusions:

• Emotion-focused coping strategies may play a role in the development or maintenance of impaired gambling behavior in women.
• Problem-focused coping strategies do not appear to be associated with the level of control over gambling in this population.
• Further research is needed to explore the complex interplay between coping styles and pathological gambling.