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Interpersonal guilt in college student pathological gamblers
Geoffrey W Locke1, Robert Shilkret, Joyce E Everett
1School for Social Work, Smith College, Northampton, MA, USA.
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
|July 4, 2012
Summary
Pathological gamblers experience higher levels of interpersonal guilt compared to non-problem gamblers. This finding may inform new treatments for gambling disorder.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Interpersonal guilt is linked to various psychopathological conditions.
- The specific association between interpersonal guilt and pathological gambling remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between interpersonal guilt and pathological gambling behavior.
- To determine if individuals with pathological gambling exhibit higher levels of interpersonal guilt.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 1979 college students completed self-report measures.
- Key instruments included the South Oaks Gambling Screen and Interpersonal Guilt Questionnaire.
- Pathological gamblers (n=145) were matched with non-problem gamblers on demographics and substance use.
Main Results:
- Pathological gamblers reported significantly elevated levels of interpersonal guilt.
- A clear statistical difference in interpersonal guilt was observed between the two groups.
Conclusions:
- College students with pathological gambling exhibit excessive interpersonal guilt.
- These results suggest potential for developing novel therapeutic interventions targeting guilt in gambling disorder treatment.
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