Understanding the Mechanisms Underlying Gambling Behaviour and Sleep.
Problem gambling and sleep difficulty threaten health. Using the basis of self-regulatory theory, potential mechanisms for these problems were investigated. Fifty-nine treatment-seeking gamblers completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (sleep difficulty), the Sleep Hygiene Index (negative sleep habits), the Problem Gambling Severity Index and measures of self-regulatory capacity and arousability with data entered into regression analyses. Results supported the relationship between problem gambling and greater sleep difficulty (β = .18, t = 3.22, p < .01). Self-regulatory capacity mediated the relationship between problem gambling and sleep difficulty (R (2) change = .15, F(2, 57) = 12.14, β = -.45, t = -3.45, p < .001) as well as between problem gambling and negative sleep habits; R (2) change = .17, F(2, 57) = 13.57, β = -.28, t = -3.76, p < .001. Arousability predicted sleep difficulty (β = .15, t = 3.07, p < .01) and negative sleep habits (β = .40, t = 5.40, p < .01) but showed no relationship with problem gambling (r = .09, ns). Self-regulatory capacity represents an important mediator of the relationship between problem gambling and sleep-related behaviour and if targeted could reduce behavioural threats to health.
Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 46150, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. marisafinn@yahoo.com.|, 14 Rewa Street Musselburgh, Dunedin, New Zealand. marisafinn@yahoo.com.
Marisa H
MH
Loft
Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 46150, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. jasmine.loo@monash.edu.
Jasmine M Y
JM
Loo
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*
Arousability; Mediation; Problem gambling; Self-regulatory capacity; Sleep difficulty; Sleep-related behaviour