The use of the Internet to gamble has become increasingly prevalent in recent years.
Although researchers have suggested that adult Internet gamblers are at high risk for
developing a gambling disorder, few studies, overall, have been conducted on the effects
of Internet gambling. Furthermore, conflicting research exists regarding what moderates
gambling-related problems. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if
age, gender, and emotions prior to the gambling experience are related predictors of
Internet problem gambling severity. A retrospective design was used. The pathways
model was used to support the belief that emotions felt before an Internet gambling
session are associated with the severity of the gambling problem. Data were obtained
from adult Internet gamblers who had Internet gambled in the preceding week. One
hundred and fifty participants completed an online survey about the emotions they felt
before an Internet-gambling session and self-reported the negative consequences of their
gambling. The survey contained demographic questions, questions from the Positive and
Negative Affect Schedule (to assess emotions felt before participants' last Internet
gambling session), and questions from the Problem Gambling Severity Index. The results
of the multiple linear regression analysis were significant, indicating that, as a group,
participants' age, gender, and emotions felt prior to the gambling experience predicted
their problem gambling severity. This study can assist with prevention, early intervention,
and treatment of adult Internet gamblers.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:waldenu.edu/oai:scholarworks.waldenu.edu:dissertations-6833 |
| Date | 01 January 2018 |
| Creators | Foote, Barbaradee |
| Publisher | ScholarWorks |
| Source Sets | Walden University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies |
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