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Alexithymia in young adulthood: a risk factor for pathological gambling
James D A Parker1, Laura M Wood, Barbara J Bond
1Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 7B8, Canada. jparker@trentu.ca
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
|January 4, 2005
Summary
Alexithymia, the inability to identify and describe emotions, is linked to pathological gambling in university students. This emotional trait may increase the risk for developing severe gambling problems.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Pathological gambling is more common in university students than the general adult population.
- Factors contributing to problem gambling in students are understudied.
- Previous research suggests a link between alexithymia and pathological gambling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between alexithymia and gambling behaviors in postsecondary students.
- To determine if alexithymia is a risk factor for pathological gambling in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 562 postsecondary students.
- Participants completed the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).
Main Results:
- Approximately 12% of students were identified as alexithymic.
- Alexithymic students exhibited significantly more gambling problems (SOGS scores).
- Approximately 9% of students were classified as pathological gamblers, showing higher alexithymia levels (TAS-20 scores).
Conclusions:
- Alexithymia is significantly associated with pathological gambling among postsecondary students.
- Alexithymia may serve as a potential risk factor for the development of severe gambling issues in this population.