What Variables Predict Endorsing Gambling as an Escape on the GFA-R?

The present investigation attempted to determine what variables would predict participants’ endorsing of gambling as an escape on the Gambling Functional Assessment – Revised (GFA-R). Study 1 employed 224 university students as participants. Results of a hierarchical linear regression showed that responses on the GFA-R escape subscale were predicted by their GFA-R positive reinforcement subscale, Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), and South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) scores, but not by the risk factors of pathological gambling. Study 2, which employed 188 university students, replicated those findings and also found that participants’ self-reported locus of control and gambling expectancy scores, cumulatively, also accounted for a significant amount of variance in endorsing gambling as an escape. Together, these results suggest that people endorse gambling as an escape because they gamble for a variety of reasons, have experienced negative consequences due to their gambling, have a relatively lengthy history with gambling, and have potential emotional-regulation problems. The present results shed light on why people may gamble as an escape, which is important to understand given its strong relationship with pathological gambling