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On the Processes Underlying the Relationship Between Alexithymia and Gambling Severity
Xavier Noël1, Mélanie Saeremans2, Charles Kornreich3,2
1Laboratoire de Psychologie Médicale et d'Addictologie, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) - Campus Brugmann, place Van Gehuchten, 4, Brussels, Belgium. xnoel@ulb.ac.be.
Journal of Gambling Studies
|September 4, 2017
Summary
Alexithymia (difficulty identifying emotions) increases gambling severity indirectly through distress and directly via impulsivity. Understanding these links is key for treating problem gambling.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Problem gambling is linked to alexithymia, impulsivity, and impaired working memory.
- The interplay between these factors in gambling disorder is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between alexithymia and problem gambling severity.
- To examine indirect pathways involving distress and impulsivity.
Main Methods:
- Path analysis was used to examine relationships in 106 male subjects.
- Evaluated alexithymia, impulsivity, and verbal working memory in relation to gambling severity.
Main Results:
- Alexithymia indirectly increased gambling severity through distress.
- Alexithymia also increased gambling severity via impulsivity, which heightened distress.
- Working memory did not significantly influence the model.
Conclusions:
- Alexithymia is a significant factor in gambling problem severity, acting through distress and impulsivity.
- Findings highlight alexithymia's role alongside impulsivity in understanding gambling disorder.
- These insights are crucial for the clinical course and treatment of problem gambling.
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