Search Results (125)

Craving for mobile phone use is increasingly discussed as a relevant feature of problematic engagement with digital technologies. This population-based study of 1601 Spanish adults examined psychological factors (impulsivity traits and affective symptoms) and behavioral correlates linked to mobile phone craving. Primary outcome: Mobile phone craving scale (MPACS). Secondary analyses: Associations between craving and impulsivity, anxiety, depression, Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), gambling severity, and alcohol use. Craving measured with the MPACS was most common among younger participants (16–35 years old) and strongly related to greater daily phone use, heightened impulsivity, especially urgency and sensation seeking, and higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Among individuals who use their phones for gaming or gambling (n = 463), craving was strongly associated with IGD and gambling severity, suggesting that mobile phones may amplify involvement in these behaviors. Exploratory factor analyses consistently revealed four underlying dimensions—Reactive Impulsivity, Cognitive Impulsivity, Negative Emotions, and Addictive Behaviors—each contributing differently depending on craving intensity. Logistic regression analyses showed that anxiety, impulsivity, phone-use duration, and IGD scores independently predicted high craving levels. Overall, the findings highlight mobile phone craving as a clinically meaningful, multidimensional construct tied to emotional dysregulation and behavioral addiction. Assessing craving may help identify individuals at heightened risk for problematic technology use and related psychological difficulties. Full article

The present study aimed to analyze the differences in psychopathological symptomatology between men and women who participate in online gambling, as well as to explore the relationship between this symptomatology and different risk profiles. The sample consisted of 382 participants, all university students from a province in Spain, of whom 261 were men (68.3%) and 121 were women (31.7%), with a mean age of 21.8 years (SD = 3.2; range = 18–30 years). Psychopathological symptomatology was assessed using the SAS-45, while gambling risk profiles were determined using an ad hoc questionnaire. The results of the risk profiles were formed by categorizing the SOG-RA Scale scores into non-risk gambler, at-risk gambler, and pathological gambler. The results evidenced that gender and risk profile are determining factors in the manifestation of psychopathological symptoms. It was observed that women tend to internalize their emotional problems, presenting higher levels of depression, anxiety, and interpersonal sensitivity, while men exhibit a greater propensity to externalize their symptoms, manifesting hostility, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism. Furthermore, gamblers with high-risk profiles showed higher scores in both internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Significant correlations were identified between risk profile, psychopathological symptomatology, and cognitive distortions, suggesting the need for comprehensive interventions differentiated by gender. These findings provide valuable information for the design of specific treatments that address the emotional and cognitive needs of problem gamblers, contributing to improving the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies in the context of problem gambling. University gambling is an emerging public health issue with consequences that extend beyond the individual, affecting educational, social, and economic well-being. This study addresses a critical gap by delineating gender-specific psychopathological profiles across gambling risk categories, providing actionable evidence to inform campus-based screening and targeted prevention strategies. The findings underscore the necessity of integrating gender-responsive interventions and upstream measures—such as early detection within student health services and harm-reduction messaging—to effectively mitigate gambling-related harm. Full article

Background: In psychiatry, gambling is classified as an addiction-related disorder and is characterized by a persistent, problematic pattern of behaviour that leads to significant distress and functional impairment. This study aims to explore the prevalence, underlying motivations, and potential academic impact of gambling behaviours among medical students in Poland. Methods: An anonymous online survey was conducted among students from multiple medical universities across Poland. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Respondents who reported any past or current gambling activity were additionally asked about their motivations and potential academic consequences. Results: The study included 281 participants. Active or past gambling was reported by 55% of respondents, with men significantly more likely to gamble currently. Women were predominantly non-problem gamblers, whereas men more often scored within the “some problems” range on the SOGS. Motivations also differed: women emphasised financial gain, while men cited fun, socializing, and competition. Lottery and scratch cards were most popular overall, though men preferred skill-based and casino activities. Conclusions: Although participants showed relatively low levels of gambling involvement, their risk of developing pathological gambling was comparable to that of the general population. Gender influenced involvement in different gambling patterns. Full article

Background: Gambling behaviors among college students are a growing public health concern, with problem gambling rates significantly higher in this population than in the general public. Aim: This study outlines the protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the efficacy of RESPONSIBLEPLAY^©, a Multi-theory Model (MTM)-based intervention designed to promote responsible gambling behaviors. Proposed Methods: The intervention integrates six MTM constructs—participatory dialogue, behavioral confidence, changes in the physical environment, emotional transformation, practice for change, and changes in the social environment—to address the initiation and sustenance of behavior change. College students aged 21 and older, scoring 3 or higher on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), will be randomly assigned to either the MTM-based intervention group or a traditional knowledge-based intervention group. The participants will complete surveys assessing PGSI and MTM constructs at pre-test, post-test, and eight-week follow-up. This study aims to provide evidence for the efficacy of theory-driven intervention compared to a knowledge-based approach. Conclusions: If successful, this protocol will establish a robust framework for mitigating gambling-related harm in vulnerable college populations, paving the way for scalable, evidence-based interventions in diverse settings. The findings will contribute to the development of public health strategies that integrate theoretical constructs with practical applications to address high-risk behaviors. Full article

Background: Gambling risk behaviour is an emerging problem among adolescents. This study investigated the role of psychological factors, school behaviours, and normative perceptions as correlates of gambling among 12–14-year-old students in Italy. Methods: The study included 1822 students from 29 secondary schools in two Italian Regions (Piedmont and Lazio) who participated in the baseline survey of the experimental controlled trial “GAPUnplugged”. Results: The prevalence of gambling in the last 30 days was 36.4%. The mean age was 13.1 years. Multilevel mixed-effect regression models identified high positive attitudes, high performance beliefs, low risk perceptions toward gambling, friends’ gambling, friends’ approval of gambling, and gambling with friends as independent correlates of adolescent gambling behaviour. Conclusions: It appears essential to design and implement preventive strategies addressing these factors among early adolescents in order to reduce gambling behaviours and their consequences in later ages. Full article

Despite existing knowledge on self-control strategies in the context of problem gambling, further insight is needed to understand a broader spectrum of self-control strategies among individuals who span the continuum of problem gambling. This qualitative study drew on the experiences and perceptions of individuals engaging in recreational gambling as well as those at the at-risk and problem gambling levels to explore various self-control strategies and their nuances. Thirty semi-structured interviews, guided by open-ended questions exploring how gamblers define and practice responsible gambling and their understanding of responsible gambling interventions, were conducted in Quebec, Canada. Thematic analysis identified three main themes: setting limits on frequency, time, and spending, playing smart (i.e., mindful gambling), and recognizing strategy limitations. Despite employing various strategies, participants struggled to maintain self-control. Maintaining self-control was particularly difficult for those with higher Problem Gambling Severity Index scores. These findings underscore the complexities of managing gambling behavior and, more specifically, these findings contribute to understanding the role of self-control in mitigating gambling problems. This study highlights the need to focus on developing comprehensive support systems and harm minimization measures within gambling environments to better support individuals across the gambling spectrum. Full article

Background/Objectives: Problematic online gaming and gambling tend to co-occur. The exact mechanisms underlying this phenomenon and the potential effects of gender differences remain unknown. This study aimed to identify the early clustering patterns of problematic online gaming and gambling in a community sample of young adults without a lifetime history of psychiatric treatment. Methods: Data were collected through an online survey and analyzed using partial correlations and Bayesian networks. Results: Altogether, 1441 individuals (aged 18–40 years, 51.4% females) participated in the survey. Both problematic online behaviors were weakly interrelated, suggesting that they serve as distinct constructs. Men’s networks appeared to be more complex and had significantly higher global connectivity. Moreover, men and women differed with respect to the specific nodes that bridged both constructs. In men, the bridge nodes were “being criticized because of betting or being told about gambling problems”, “loss of previous interests due to gaming”, “deceiving other people because of gaming”, and “health consequences of gambling”. Among women, the bridge nodes were “feeling guilty because of gambling”, “loss of previous interests because of gaming”, “social consequences of gaming”, and “continued gaming problems with other people”. In men, the strongest edge was found between “borrowing money/selling anything to gamble” and “financial problems because of gambling”, while in women, the strongest edge appeared between “betting more than afforded to be lost” and “tolerance symptoms of gambling”. Conclusions: The findings indicate that problematic online gaming and gambling tend to emerge in different ways among men and women. Therapeutic interventions should be planned considering gender differences. Full article

The number of people immersed in excessive gaming has increased in this age of rapid digitalization. The World Health Organization and American Psychiatric Association Organization recognize a gaming disorder as a condition that results in significant problems in daily life as a result of excessive gaming. Both organizations emphasize the similarities to behavioral addictions such as gambling. We examined the appropriate usage of video games from the perspectives of health and management in this study. For the general population, video games provide positive impacts such as stress alleviation and memory improvement. Game playing leads to a loss of time and money for the individual. It also has a negative impact on the individual’s family and social life, evolving into a social problem. Gaming addiction is often accompanied by psychological disorders and other addictions, and long-term medical treatment, including approaches to the individual’s psychological background and cognitive-behavioral therapy, is necessary. Therefore, the prevention of gaming disorder is essential. From a societal standpoint, action is required in three contexts: the government, game developers, and within the household as a whole. Simultaneously, the public needs to understand the positive potential of gaming, such as e-sports. Full article

The harms accompanying disordered gambling are well documented. Additionally, there is growing attention to the harms that arise from people who gamble heavily but do not meet the criteria for a gambling disorder. Accordingly, there has been an increasing interest in the effectiveness of consumer protection tools for consumers of gambling products. Subsequently, there is a need to properly evaluate the evidence for their effectiveness. This review aimed to conduct a narrative synthesis of empirical studies to identify gaps, weaknesses, and strengths in the existing evidence for the effectiveness of harm minimisation tools available to people who gamble. This review includes studies published between January 2015 to July 2022 and comprises 55 peer-reviewed studies for final synthesis. Findings reveal that while more research is needed to examine the effectiveness of active and passive consumer protection tools, uptake of tools is low in part because users view them as tools for individuals already experiencing gambling harm as opposed to protective tools for all users. Research is needed to determine effective ways of communicating the value of consumer protection tools for gambling. Full article

Online games have experienced significant growth in recent years, with gaming becoming a popular form of entertainment for people of all ages. However, their impact on cognition, especially among vulnerable groups such as students with disabilities, is a topic that requires deeper exploration. The objectives of this study are twofold: firstly, to understand the typology of risk players (non-risk players, players with problems, and pathological players); and secondly, to compare cognitive distortions among students with problematic profiles. Both objectives will be analyzed based on the presence or absence of disability. A total of 704 students from various Spanish universities (135 with disabilities and 569 without disabilities), aged between 18 and 38, participated in the study by completing the Gamblers Belief Questionnaire (GBQ), aimed at measuring cognitive distortions related to gambling problems, as well as the Massachusetts Gambling Screen questionnaire, aimed at measuring gambling addiction. The results indicate a higher percentage of students with disabilities showing a greater risk profile for addiction. Additionally, this group of students exhibits more cognitive distortions. These findings underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing online gaming addiction and cognitive distortions among university students, with and without disabilities. Preventive measures are necessary, such as education on responsible technology use and the promotion of alternative activities. Moreover, specific intervention strategies need to be developed, including access to psychological health services for this student population. Full article

The emergence of illegal (gambling, pornography, and attraction) websites seriously threatens the security of society. Due to the concealment of illegal websites, it is difficult to obtain labeled data with high quantity. Meanwhile, most illegal websites usually disguise themselves to avoid detection; for example, some gambling websites may visually resemble gaming websites. However, existing methods ignore the means of camouflage in a single modality. To address the above problems, this paper proposes MEDAL, a multimodality-based effective data augmentation framework for illegal website identification. First, we established an illegal website identification framework based on tri-training that combines information from different modalities (including image, text, and HTML) while making full use of numerous unlabeled data. Then, we designed a multimodal mutual assistance module that is integrated with the tri-training framework to mitigate the introduction of error information resulting from an unbalanced single-modal classifier performance in the tri-training process. Finally, the experimental results on the self-developed dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework, performing well on accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 metrics. Full article

Growing concerns over gambling problems across age groups have sparked research in public health and psychology. During emerging adulthood, individuals are more susceptible to mental health problems and more likely to develop gambling problems than in other age groups. This study explored the potential differences between emerging adults and adults aged 30+ in terms of problem gambling severity (PGS), gambling-related harm (GRH), depression and anxiety, and the mediating role of depression and anxiety in the association between age, PGS, and GRH. A representative online sample of 3244 Israelis aged 18 and over was divided into two groups: 740 emerging adults aged 18–29 and 2504 adults aged 30+. Gambling behaviors, the Problem Gambling Severity Index, the Short Gambling Harm Screen, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 assessing depression and anxiety were administered. Emerging adults had significantly higher levels of GRH, PGS, and depression-anxiety than their older counterparts, above and beyond gender and education. Depression-anxiety fully mediated the associations between age and gambling-related outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of considering psychological well-being in efforts to address problem gambling and gambling-related harms, especially in emerging adults. Full article

Background: Gambling Disorder (GD) is a bio-psycho-social disorder resulting from the interaction of clinical, cognitive, and affective factors. Impulsivity is a crucial factor in addiction studies, as it is closely linked to cognitive distortions in GD by encompassing impulsive choices, motor responses, decision-making, and cognitive biases. Also, emotions, mood, temperament, and affective state are crucial in developing and maintaining GD. Gambling can be used as a maladaptive coping strategy to avoid or escape problems and distress. Methods: The aim of the present study is to explore differences in personality traits and emotion regulation of people suffering from GD, substance-dependent gamblers (SDGs), and healthy controls (HCs). Additionally, the study proposes a new experimental task: the “Gambling Affective Task” (GAT) to investigate the influence of affective priming on risk-taking behaviors. Results: Our findings indicate that participants placed lower bets following positive priming. Additionally, SDGs wagered significantly higher amounts than HCs, regardless of priming type. In general, participants exhibited longer response times after positive priming trials, compared to negative and neutral priming trials. These findings suggest that experiencing positive emotions can act as a protective factor by delaying and lengthening gambling behaviors. By comparing gamblers with and without substance comorbidity, we can gain insight into the exclusive factors of GD and improve our understanding of this disorder. Conclusions: By elucidating the impact of emotional states on risk-taking, the research also provides new insights into the prevention and treatment of GD. Full article

Over the last century, there has been a growing interest in researching pathological gambling, particularly in industrialized nations. Historically, gambling was widely perceived as morally questionable, condemned by religious groups. However, contemporary concerns have shifted towards the health repercussions of gambling disorders and broader societal impacts like increased crime and money laundering. Governments, aiming to mitigate social harm, often regulate or directly oversee gambling activities. The global surge in legal gambling has resulted in a substantial rise in its prevalence, popularity, and accessibility in the last two decades. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of global research on interventions for pathological gambling. Through a systematic search on platforms such as EBSCO, PubMed, and Web of Science, 13 relevant records were identified. The revised findings indicate a heightened occurrence of behavioral addictions, linking them to the early onset of gambling issues and their severe consequences. The research emphasizes the active role that clients play in the process of self-directed change and therapy. Therapists recognizing clients as both catalysts for change and potential obstacles can enhance their effectiveness. A common source of resistance arises when clients and therapists are in different stages of the change process, underlining the importance of therapists aligning with clients’ readiness for change. Recognizing the urgent need for a better understanding of this problem in adolescents, this study emphasizes the necessity to tailor prevention and treatment plans based on gender and age-specific requirements. Full article

In this paper, we explore a model of an N-player, non-cooperative stochastic game, drawing inspiration from the discrete formulation of the red-and-black gambling problem, as initially introduced by Dubins and Savage in 1965. We extend upon the work of Pontiggia from 2007, presenting a main theorem that broadens the conditions under which bold strategies by all players can achieve a Nash equilibrium. This is obtained through the introduction of a novel functional inequality, which serves as a key analytical tool in our study. This inequality enables us to circumvent the restrictive conditions of super-multiplicativity and super-additivity prevalent in the works of Pontiggia and others. We conclude this paper with a series of illustrative examples that demonstrate the efficacy of our approach, notably highlighting its ability to accommodate a broader spectrum of probability functions than previously recognized in the existing literature. Full article