Online and live regular poker players: Do they differ in impulsive sensation seeking and gambling practice?

Background and aims Online gambling appears to have special features, such as anonymity, speed of play and permanent availability, which may contribute to the facilitation and increase in gambling practice, potentially leading to problem gambling. The aims of this study were to assess sociodemographic characteristics, gambling practice and impulsive sensation seeking among a population of regular poker players with different levels of gambling intensity and to compare online and live players. Methods 245 regular poker players (180 online players and 65 live players) completed online self-report scales assessing sociodemographic data, pathological gambling (SOGS), gambling practice (poker questionnaire) and impulsive sensation seeking (ImpSS). We used SOGS scores to rank players according to the intensity of their gambling practice (non-pathological gamblers, problem gamblers and pathological gamblers). Results All poker players displayed a particular sociodemographic profile: they were more likely to be young men, executives or students, mostly single and working full-time. Online players played significantly more often whereas live players reported significantly longer gambling sessions. Sensation seeking was high across all groups, whereas impulsivity significantly distinguished players according to the intensity of gambling. Discussion Our results show the specific profile of poker players. Both impulsivity and sensation seeking seem to be involved in pathological gambling, but playing different roles. Sensation seeking may determine interest in poker whereas impulsivity may be involved in pathological gambling development and maintenance. Conclusions This study opens up new research perspectives and insights into preventive and treatment actions for pathological poker players

Etude des distorsions cognitives, des troubles anxiodépressifs et de la personnalité chez des joueurs pathologiques en ligne et hors ligne (Particularités des joueurs de poker)

Pas de résumé en françaisPas de résumé en anglaisPARIS5-Bibliotheque electronique (751069902) / SudocSudocFranceF

An empirical investigation of the Pathways Model of problem gambling through the conjoint use of self-reports and behavioural tasks

Background and aims Blaszczynski and Nower (2002) conceptualized their Pathways Model by postulating the existence of three subtypes of problem gamblers who share common characteristics, but also present specific ones. Methods This study investigated how the psychological mechanisms postulated in the Pathways Model predict clinical status in a sample that combined treatment-seeking gamblers (n = 59) and non-problematic community gamblers (n = 107). To test the Pathways Model, we computed a hierarchic logistic regression in which variables associated with each postulated pathway were entered sequentially to predict the status of the treatment-seeking gambler. Self-report questionnaires measured gambling-related cognitions, alexithymia, emotional reactivity, emotion regulation strategies and impulsivity. Behavioural tasks measured gambling persistence (slot machine task), decision-making under uncertainty (Iowa Gambling Task) and decision-making under risk (Game of Dice Task). Results We showed that specific factors theorized as underlying mechanisms for each pathway predicted the status of clinical gambler. For each pathway, significant predictors included gambling-related cognitive distortions and behaviourally measured gambling persistence (behaviourally conditioned pathway), emotional reactivity and emotion regulation strategies (emotionally vulnerable pathway), and lack of premeditation impulsivity facet (impulsivist-antisocial pathway). Discussion and conclusions Our study adds to the body of literature confirming the validity of the Pathways Model and hold important implications in terms of assessment and treatment of problem gambling. In particular, a standardized assessment based on the Pathways Model should promote individualized treatment strategies to allow clinicians to take into account the high heterogeneity that characterizes gambling disorder

Poker en ligne : spécificités de la pratique de jeu et psychopathologie

International audienc

Study of cognitive distortions, anxiodepressive disorders and personality among online and live pathological gamblers : poker player’s specificities

Pas de résumé en françaisPas de résumé en anglai

Le soin en addictologie : approche théorico-clinique

National audienc

L’addiction au jeu de hasard et d’argent : perspectives théoriques et cliniques

National audienc

Étude des facteurs cognitifs, métacognitifs et de personnalité dans la prise de risque chez les joueurs de jeux de hasard et d’argent

National audienc

Défaut d’anticipation chez les joueurs pathologiques : le rôle de l’impulsivité

International audienc

Problem Gambling and Sub-dimensions of Impulsivity among Regular Online Poker Players

International audienceIntroduction: Impulsivity is a personality dimension known to be closely linked to addictive behaviour, including problem gambling. The aim of the present study is to assess impulsivity and its sub-dimensions (non-planning, attentional and motor impulsivity) among a sample of regular poker players, in order to determine whether these subtypes are linked to problem gambling and its severity.Method: 232 regular online poker players completed online questionnaires (socio-demographic data, CPGI, BIS-11). CPGI was used to divide them into four groups according to the intensity of their gambling practice (non-problem gamblers, low problem gamblers, moderate problem gamblers and severe problem gamblers).Results: Impulsivity significantly differentiated gamblers according to the intensity of their gambling behaviour and correlated significantly with problem gambling, confirming the idea that impulsivity is linked to the severity of problem gambling. Among its sub dimensions, only attentional impulsivity did not discriminate between the four groups of gamblers. Motor impulsivity and non-planning were significantly higher in severe problem gamblers and correlated with problem gambling. Motor impulsivity was also a significant predictor of problem gambling.Discussion: Consistent with the literature, our results underline the link between impulsivity and problem gambling among poker players. In particular, motor impulsivity and non-planning appeared to play a role in the development and/or maintenance of problem gambling. These results may have clinical implications in terms of treatment and prevention, and open avenues of research regarding impulsivity among problem gamblers