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Desire thinking as a predictor of gambling
Bruce A Fernie1, Gabriele Caselli2, Lucia Giustina3
1King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, London, United Kingdom; CASCAID, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom.
Addictive Behaviors
|February 18, 2014
Summary
This study shows that desire thinking, the mental elaboration of desired outcomes, independently predicts gambling behavior. This cognitive process is a significant factor in gambling, even more so than craving.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Desire thinking involves elaborating on desired targets, which can include activities like gambling.
- Understanding cognitive processes related to gambling is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of desire thinking in gambling behavior.
- To identify predictors of gambling severity in a mixed community and clinical sample.
Main Methods:
- Ninety-five participants completed self-report measures including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Gambling Craving Scale (GCS), Desire Thinking Questionnaire (DTQ), and South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS).
- Correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine relationships between variables.
Main Results:
- Desire thinking, recruitment source, anxiety, depression, and craving were correlated with gambling severity.
- Hierarchical multiple regression indicated that desire thinking and recruitment source were independent predictors of gambling, controlling for other factors including craving.
Conclusions:
- Desire thinking is a significant independent predictor of gambling behavior.
- Findings support the potential application of metacognitive therapy (MCT) in addressing gambling issues.
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