(PS1-A15) Differences in the Affective States Experienced by Pathways Model of Gambling Subgroups

The pathways model of gambling holistically characterizes three distinct subgroups of gamblers: behaviorally conditioned, emotionally vulnerable, and antisocial impulsivist (Blaszczynski & Nower, 2002). The utilization of this model provides etiological information and a novel approach to addressing an individual’s motivations for gambling. Given the immense biopsychosocial variables contributing to the development and maintenance of each gambling subgroup, the purpose of this study was to better understand how gamblers differentially experience various affective states. Individuals at-risk for or diagnosed with gambling disorder (N = 403; M = 34.4 years, SD = 10.1; 63% Male) were examined. Pathways subgroups of gamblers were classified based on the Short Form Inventory of Gambling Situations (IGS-10; Smith et al., 2011) scores categorizing gamblers as behaviorally conditioned (n = 143), emotionally vulnerable, (n =145), and antisocial impulsivist (n = 115). Pathways subtypes were used to predict scores on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale – 21 (DASS-21; Antony et al., 1998; Henry & Crawford, 2005). A one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey’s HSD analyses were conducted. Analyses revealed significant differences between gambler subtypes for depression (F(1, 401) = 7.321, p = .007), anxiety (F(1,401) = 4.601, p = .03), and stress (F(1, 401) = 10.86, p = .001). Tukey’s HSD for multiple comparisons found that the mean values of depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly higher for emotionally vulnerable gamblers when compared to behaviorally conditioned (p = < .001) (p = < .001) (p = < .001) or antisocial impulsivist (p = < .001) (p = < .001) (p = < .001) gamblers. Antisocial impulsivist gamblers showed significantly higher mean values for depression and stress when compared to behaviorally conditioned (p = .047) (p = .008) gamblers. There were no significant differences in anxiety between behaviorally conditioned and antisocial impulsivist gamblers (p > .05). The results of this study are important and reveal meaningful differences in experienced affective mood states based on the gambling pathways model (Blaszcaynski & Nower, 2002). This study also provides empirical support for the model, promoting its dissemination in clinical settings treating those with gambling disorder. Recognizing the etiological underpinnings of gambling disorder is only one facet of the disorder and numerous other important clinical correlates exist including financial burden, lower health-related quality of life, and diminished well-being (Xu et al., 2020; Young et al., 2019). Yet, this 10-item questionnaire allows for a simple classification that yields clinical utility. Conceptualizing those with gambling disorder as a heterogeneous group allows for individualized treatment targeted at increasing the overall well-being of a population that has previously been marginalized in psychological research.