The role of migration background and cognitive distortions in the trajectories of gambling problems - a longitudinal study

Lena Schulte, Svenja Orlowski, Dominique Brandt, Anja Bischof, Bettina Besser, Gallus Bischof and Hans-Juergen Rumpf

International Gambling Studies, 2021, vol. 21, issue 1, 17-37

Abstract: Cognitive distortions are assumed to play an important role in the trajectories of Gambling Disorder. Additionally, migration background has been identified as a crucial risk factor for the development of Gambling Disorder. However, longitudinal data on cognitive distortions in gamblers are rare and so are data on the long-term development of Gambling Disorder in individuals with migration background. This study investigates in a young adult sample (N = 268, age range 16–30 years) changes of gambling-related cognitive distortions and Gambling Disorder severity within 10 months. The sample was proactively recruited in vocational schools in Germany. In telephone interviews, gambling-related variables were assessed. We found no differences of cognitive distortions with respect to migration background. In a GEE analysis, migration background and the believe in luck and perseverance were significantly associated with an increase of fulfilled DSM-5 criteria for Gambling Disorder over time. Our findings validate the role of gambling-related cognitive distortions in this high-risk population and call for early prevention programs in the form of cognitive modification trainings specifically targeting the believe in luck and perseverance. Low-threshold prevention programs could be implemented in schools as they already exist for the prevention of alcohol abuse.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1080/14459795.2020.1791220

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International Gambling Studies is currently edited by Katie Donnelly, David Marshall, Bronwyn Stuart, Alex Blaszczynski and Jan McMillen

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