TITLE:
Gaming Addiction: An Investigation in Italian Adults in Avola
AUTHORS:
Concetta De Pasquale, Federica Sciacca, Vania Fronte
KEYWORDS:
Gambling, Addiction, Adult, Pathological
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.7 No.9,
August
22,
2016
ABSTRACT: Introduction:
The aim of this study was the exploration of the spread of gambling in adults
in Avola, their consequences and the exploration of the typical thoughts,
behaviors and beliefs related to gambling. Materials and Methods: The sample
consisted of 160 adults, aged between 18 and 78 years recruited in Avola
(Sicily, Italy). The materials were constituted by an exploration questionnaire
about gambling to investigate the social-demographic characteristics of the
players, the game frequency, the control capacity and the motivation to play
and a shorter and multidimensional version of gambling attitudes and beliefs
survey (GABS-23), a useful diagnostic tool for screening of gambling that
explores the dysfunctional beliefs of gambling and allows to evaluate the
beliefs, emotions and attitudes among the gamblers. Results: Results showed
that more than half of the sample declared to gamble. In accordance with the
diagnostic manual of gambling, the “frequency of game”, the “time spend in
gambling”, the consequent “spend money” are indicative indices that discriminate
the “social game” from pathological game. For this reason we have find, in our
sample, tree categories of gamblers: “problematic gamblers”, “regular players”
and “casual players”. About GABS-23 factors, they showed that all sample believe
that behaviors implemented during the gambling affects about it and believe
that some strategies increase the probability of win. Also, according with the
studies in the literature, the gamblers showed medium-high score in the
“chasing” scale. Conclusion: Despite the prevalence of gambling among adults in
Avola, there was no presence of pathological disorder, but a small percentage
of those who claim to play, play more frequently, play more than three games a
week, undertake more than three hours a week and spend between one hundred and
one hundred fifty euro a week. Despite this, the reason that drives them to
play in “to earn money” and don’t indicate the motivation “try the thrill of
risk” typical pathological gambler. This phenomenon is frequently normal
amongst the non-clinical population but it needs attention in order to prevent
and avoid real psychopathological disorder.