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A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats
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What explains the link between romantic conflict with gambling problems? Testing a serial mediational model.
Amanda E F Hagen1, Raquel Nogueira-Arjona2, Simon B Sherry1
1Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Frontiers in Psychology
|July 28, 2023
Summary
Romantic conflict increases gambling problems by causing negative emotions and coping motives. Addressing both negative affect and coping gambling motives is key for interventions targeting partnered gamblers.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Gambling can be a coping mechanism for negative emotions.
- Romantic conflict is a significant source of negative affect.
- This study investigates the link between romantic conflict, negative affect, and gambling problems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the mediational role of negative affect and coping gambling motives in the relationship between romantic conflict and gambling-related problems.
- To extend previous findings on the link between negative affect and problem behaviors to gambling.
- To identify potential intervention targets for reducing gambling problems in partnered individuals.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design.
- 206 partnered gamblers recruited via Qualtrics Panels.
- Measures included romantic conflict, negative affect, coping gambling motives, and gambling severity.
Main Results:
- Romantic conflict sequentially predicted gambling problems through negative affect and coping gambling motives (β = 0.38).
- Negative affect alone also mediated the relationship between romantic conflict and gambling problems (β = 0.27).
- Negative affect and coping motives partially explained the link between conflict and gambling issues.
Conclusions:
- Negative affect and coping gambling motives are significant mediators linking romantic conflict to gambling problems.
- Interventions should address both negative affect and coping motives in partnered gamblers experiencing romantic conflict.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering relationship dynamics in understanding and treating gambling problems.
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