What explains the link between romantic conflict with gambling problems? Testing a serial mediational model

• Published in: Frontiers in psychology Vol. 14; p. 1018098
• Main Authors: Hagen, Amanda E F, Nogueira-Arjona, Raquel, Sherry, Simon B, Rodriguez, Lindsey M, Yakovenko, Igor, Stewart, Sherry H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 12.07.2023
• Subjects: coping motives; gambling; negative affect; problem gambling; Psychology; romantic conflict; problem gambling; gambling; negative affect; romantic conflict; coping motives
• ISSN: 1664-1078; 1664-1078
• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1018098

While individuals have many motives to gamble, one particularly risky motive for gambling is to cope with negative affect. Conflict with one's romantic partner is a strong predictor of negative affect, which may elicit coping motives for gambling and, in turn, gambling-related problems. Support for this mediational model was demonstrated in relation to drinking-related problems. We extended this model to gambling. Using a cross-sectional design, we examined links between romantic conflict (Partner-Specific Rejecting Behaviors Scale), negative affect (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21), coping gambling motives (Gambling Motives Questionnaire, coping subscale), and gambling-related problems [Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)] in 206 regular gamblers (64% men; mean age = 44.7 years; mean PGSI = 8.7) who were in a romantic relationship and recruited through Qualtrics Panels in July 2021. Results supported our hypothesis that the association between romantic conflict and gambling-related problems would be sequentially mediated through negative affect and coping gambling motives, β = 0.38, 95% CI [0.27, 0.39], and also showed a strong single mediation pathway through negative affect alone, β = 0.27, 95% CI [0.17, 0.38]. Negative affect and coping gambling motives partially explain the link between romantic conflict and gambling-related problems. Interventions should target both negative affect and coping gambling motives in response to romantic conflict to reduce gambling-related problems in partnered gamblers.