The Nuance of Mindfulness among Gamblers and Video Game Players: Empirical Findings from Latent Profile Analysis and Links to Intervention for Problem Gambling and Problem Video Gaming
Abstract: This presentation reviews two studies that investigate different profiles of gamblers and video gamers across five facets of mindfulness and nonattachment using latent profile analyses. Study 1 identified four profiles among 843 adults who gamble (59.9% male, Mage=39 years): High, Moderate and Low Mindfulness, as well as a Judgmentally Unaware profile, characterized by low levels of nonjudging and acting with awareness. Gamblers with the Judgmentally Unware profile demonstrated more frequent gambling, stronger gambling motivations and gambling-related cognitions, more severe problem gambling, and poorer mental health compared to other profiles. Study 2 identified a different four-profile model among 629 adults who play video games (62.8% male, Mage=38 years): High and Moderate Mindfulness, Judgmentally Unware profile, and Reactive and Attached profile, characterized by high non-reacting and low nonattachment. Video gamers with the Judgmentally Unware profile evidenced the most severe problem gaming, followed by the Reactive and Attached profile. The Judgmentally Unware profile reported stronger gaming motivations and higher emotion-based impulsivity; in contrast, the Reactive and Attached profile demonstrated greater psychological inflexibility and escapism motivation relative to the other profiles. Implications of mindfulness profiles as risk and protective factors will be discussed in light of reducing harm for both gambling and video gaming.
Implications: Findings suggest a variety of ways in which gamblers and video gamers might be mindful. Given the overlap between gambling and gaming and the Judgmentally Unaware profile, mindfulness-based harm reduction intervention could be particularly useful for addressing problem gambling/video gaming and decreasing future harms from these activities
