Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 1989.

No description available.

No description available.

The aim of this study was to argue for a new conception of subjective control and then to devise psychometric scales to test this new conception in the area of gambling behaviour. The 'Subjective Control'scales were constructed using Michell's (1994a, 1998) theory of the ordinal determinable. After extensive pilot testing, these scales were administered to a participant sample consisting of 57 students, 104 in situ club EGM players and 49 self-referred problem gamblers. The data collected consisted of paired comparisons judgements, ratings and rank orders. The limitations of the findings were discussed and suggestions for future research were made. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2007. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 42-48). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR38829

Positive and negative outcome expectancies have been found to play a significant role in adolescents' decisions to engage in drug and alcohol use. In light of the parallel risk and protective factors among high-risk behaviors, youth gambling outcome expectancies were explored through the development of the 23-item Gambling Expectancy Questionnaire (GEQ) using a sample of 1,013 students aged 12-18. The final GEQ consists of three positive expectancy scales (i.e., Enjoyment/Arousal, Self-Enhancement, Money) and two negative expectancy scales (i.e., Over-Involvement, Emotional Impact). Significant gender, age and DSM-IV-MR-J gambling group differences were identified on the scales of the GEQ. Stepwise logistic regression among gamblers was performed separately for males and females to predict group membership into either social or problem gambling categories. The results of this study suggest that non-gamblers, social gamblers, at-risk gamblers and PPGs differ in their expectancies of the positive and negative outcomes of gambling behavior. In particular, PPGs highly anticipate both the positive and negative outcomes of gambling. Among males, these perceptions differentiate those who gamble excessively and those who do not. For females, on the other hand, outcome expectancies may have less predictive value. These findings were interpreted in terms of their implications for prevention, treatment and future research.

Despite growing recognition that impulsivity is associated with pathological gambling (PG), three methodological concerns continue to prevent a meaningful examination of how impulsivity is specifically associated with PG. First, the lack of studies specifically comparing PGs to less severe gamblers leaves the question of whether impulsivity was not also associated with less severe gamblers unexamined. Second, the inadequate control of confounding variables in most studies raises concerns about whether findings that impulsivity is associated with PG may be spurious. Third, many findings that impulsivity is associated with PG are based on unrelated definitions of impulsivity, and are therefore relatively uninformative. / The present series of studies is the first attempt to address all of these concerns at the same time. In terms of appropriate comparison groups, study 1 compared PGs to at-risk gamblers and social gamblers, and study 2 compared severe PGs to moderately severe PGs and social gamblers. In terms of adequate controls, both studies examined PGs who were not in treatment and representative in terms of comorbid drug use. In addition, both studies controlled for age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, psychiatric comorbidity, and general cognitive function. Study 2 furthermore controlled for depression, trait anxiety, aggression, and criminality. In terms of improving how impulsivity is examined, study 1 elaborated a neuroanatomically-based definition of impulsivity and examined how three hypothesized neuroanatomical components of impulsivity were associated with PG. In study 2, different operationalizations of impulsivity, based on the same definition of impulsivity, were examined regarding their association with PG. / Every measure that was directly related to the present definition of impulsivity was significantly associated with severe PGs, and only severe PGs, suggesting that severe PGs may comprise a distinct group of gamblers. Measures which were not directly related to this definition of impulsivity were not significantly different between severe PGs (or PGs in study 1) and less severe gamblers. Severe PGs performed as well or better than social gamblers on retention capacity and attention control measures of working memory. / In conclusion, the inability to inhibit inappropriate reward-seeking is argued to be a primary deficit of severe PGs in our sample.

The role of social influences concerning gambling behavior was empirically examined. Children (N = 130) in grades 4 and 6 completed several questionnaires concerning their gambling behavior, risk taking, and locus of control and played a computer-simulated roulette game individually and in groups (same and mixed gender dyads or triads). Results reveal that during individual and group play, males consistently exhibit riskier behavior (higher average wagers) than females and mixed gender groups. However, average wagers of females and mixed gender groupings appear to be most affected by the group condition. All changes resulting from the group condition were generally maintained over a relatively short period of time in the post-test condition. No major developmental changes were noted nor was locus of control found to be a significant mediating factor. The results are interpreted with respect to the importance of the influence of the peer group on children's gambling behavior. Future directions for research are suggested.

This study empirically examined physiological, social, and emotional variables in order to extend the understanding of the vulnerability-stress interaction in relation to adolescent problem gambling behaviour. Specifically, the relationship between coping styles, life stress, depressive symptomatology, dissociative states, drug and alcohol use, and youth gambling problems were investigated from the framework of Jacobs' General Theory of Addictions . The current study also examined several potential protective factors (socioeconomic status, social support, and adaptive coping styles) that are believed to buffer against possible negative outcomes associated with youth gambling behaviour. Students consisted of 2,156 students in grades 7 to 12 (ages 11 to 19) recruited from various elementary and high schools in Ontario, Canada. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding gambling activities, social support, dissociation, drug and alcohol use (GAQ), gambling severity (DSM-IV-MR-J), arousal (AISS), stressful life events (APES), depressive symptomatology (RADS), and coping styles (CISS). Socioeconomic status was based on parental level of education and occupation. With respect to gambling severity as assessed by the DSM-IV-MR-J gambling screen, 2.7% of adolescents were found to be probable pathological gamblers, and 6.6% at-risk gamblers. Problem gamblers demonstrated significantly higher scores on measures of arousal, dissociation, and drug and alcohol use. Emotionally, they demonstrated increased problems related to depression, suicide ideation and attempts, and emotion-focused coping. This study expanded on Jacobs' General Theory of Addictions by investigating several protective factors thought to mediate between different types of life stressors and potential gambling problems. This study also sought to identify a set of predictor variables that would increase risk for youth gambling difficulties, including intensity seeking behaviour,

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McGill University, 2005. / Title from screen (viewed on July 23, 2009). Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, McGill University. Advisor: Jeffrey L. Derevensky. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 71-87).