Problem gambling and the five-factor model of personality: a large population-based study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Personality characteristics are vital for understanding and preventing gambling problems.
• Previous research on personality and gambling problems used limited, non-representative samples.
• The Five-Factor Model (FFM) provides a framework for assessing personality traits relevant to gambling behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between FFM personality traits and gambling problem severity.
• To identify specific personality differences between non-problem gamblers and individuals with varying levels of gambling problems.
• To inform the development of targeted prevention and intervention strategies for gambling disorder.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey design conducted in Norway.
• A large, representative sample of 10,081 individuals aged 16-74 years.
• Utilized the Problem Gambling Severity Index and the Mini-International Personality Item Pool (MIPI) to assess gambling problems and personality traits, respectively.
• Ordinary least-squares regression models were employed to analyze differences in personality traits across gambling severity groups, controlling for demographic variables.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in neuroticism and conscientiousness were observed across all levels of gambling problem severity compared to non-problem gamblers.
• Higher levels of gambling problems were associated with increased neuroticism (b=0.16 to 0.66) and decreased conscientiousness (b=-0.13 to -0.44).
• Moderate and severe problem gamblers showed lower agreeableness scores compared to non-problem gamblers (b=-0.21 and -0.20, respectively).
• Gambling problems were more prevalent in men, individuals living alone, those without tertiary education, and the unemployed or disabled.

Conclusions:

• Problem gambling severity is significantly associated with specific personality traits.
• Higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness and agreeableness are linked to increased gambling problem severity.
• These findings underscore the importance of personality assessment in understanding and addressing gambling disorder.