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Perceived burdensomeness partially mediates the longitudinal relationship between problem gambling and suicidal
Heather M Gray1, Timothy C Edson1
1Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, USA.
Addictive Behaviors
|October 24, 2025
Summary
Problem gambling increases suicide risk, particularly through feelings of burdensomeness and thwarted belonging. Interventions targeting these social disconnection factors are crucial for at-risk individuals.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Problem gambling is a significant public health concern linked to increased suicidality.
- Interpersonal theory of suicide suggests perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness mediate this risk.
- Debt stress may precede perceived burdensomeness in individuals with problem gambling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally examine the mediating role of perceived burdensomeness in the relationship between problem gambling and suicidal ideation.
- To investigate debt stress as a predictor of perceived burdensomeness in gamblers.
- To explore the temporal relationship between problem gambling and suicidal ideation.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design with a 6-month timeframe.
- Sample of 447 participants with high gambling involvement recruited via MTurk.
- Statistical analyses to assess mediation and bidirectional relationships.
Main Results:
- Perceived burdensomeness partially mediated the longitudinal relationship between problem gambling and suicidal ideation.
- Problem gambling severity did not predict future debt stress.
- Suicidal ideation at baseline predicted increased problem gambling severity at follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Perceived burdensomeness is a key factor linking problem gambling to suicidal ideation.
- Clinical screening for suicidality and perceived burdensomeness is recommended in problem gambling treatment.
- Future research should focus on interventions for perceived burdensomeness in this population.
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