Impulsivity and Internet Gambling: What is the Link? A Preliminary Study

Introduction: Pathologic gambling is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as an impulsive control disorder. However, recent studies have questioned this classification based on impulsivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of impulsivity and its constructs in pathologic online gamblers. Methods: The participants were 53 online gambling players and 24 nongamblers. We investigated the levels of gambling addiction, impulsivity, alexithymia, gambling-related cognitions, comorbid depression and anxiety, and coping strategies. Results: Data showed a higher level of impulsivity in pathologic gamblers only when they grappled with negative emotions. Compared with other gamblers, the pathologic gamblers presented higher scores on the depression and anxiety scale, but lower scores on the problem-focused coping subscale. We also found bigger cognitive distortions in these gamblers as bigger illusion of control and gambling expectations. Discussion: This preliminary source of information support the classification ongoing debate about online gamblers.