title: Low trait self-control in problem gamblers: evidence from self-report and behavioral measures.
abstract: Problems with self-control are seen as a key cause of problem gambling behavior. Yet, self-control is rarely studied directly in gambling studies. We demonstrated that self-report and behavioral measures (derived from the strength model of self-control) show lower trait self-control in problem gamblers. In Study 1, a sample of 2,208 undergraduate students from the University of Guelph, Canada (73% female, mean age = 19 years, SD = 4) completed a self-report measure of self-control strength. In Study 2, a sample of 296 University of Guelph students and staff (58% female, mean age = 19 years, SD = 2) completed multiple behavioral measures of self-control strength. Both studies demonstrated that, compared to lower-risk gamblers, higher-risk gamblers have relative trait self-control deficits.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada. bergena@uoguelph.ca
authors: Anne E
authors: AE
authors: Bergen
authors: Ian R
authors: IR
authors: Newby-Clark
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Brown
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012306:Risk; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D055815:Young Adult