Response-outcome analysis in gambling disorder

Gambling Disorder is characterized by persistent betting despite financial losses and social adversities. Previous studies demonstrated that during short response-outcome analytical tests (ROAT), people with gambling disorder (PGD) presented more random responses and less use of analytical strategies on ROAT with and without a solution.

Evaluate the predisposition of PGD to illusion of control and superstitious behavior in longer ROAT versions.

34 PGD to 34 Healthy Controls (HC) are compared, regarding emotional and cognitive responses, and behavioral performance.

For the whole sample, perception of control while taking both long ROAT versions was predicted by a positive emotional experience. Particularly for the ROAT version without a solution, perception of control was associated with total attempts at controlling the aversive stimulus for PGD. Compared to HC, PGD found both ROAT versions more emotionally distressing, reported a lower perception of control, and presented more attempts at control in the uncontrollable ROAT version.

In comparison to HC, PGD insisted more on useless behaviors in tasks with no rewards and despite emotional discomfort, evidencing a splitting between negative emotions and behavioral response.