The gambling disorder: family styles and cognitive dimensions

Abstract

Objective: In this study we present data from a research carried out on a population of people with gambling disorder (GD).

Subjects and methods: This research investigated the representation of family styles for subjects with gambling disorder, using the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES-IV), their cognitive distortions through Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS-I), and the relation between these two dimensions.

Results: People with GD represent families with emotional detachment, while in the area of management of relational rules and roles, they reveal a perception of disorganization. Concerning their cognitive bias, GD people show the illusion of being able to control and predict the winnings and the perception of being unable to quit playing.

Conclusions: Overall, these data provide specific directions for both the prevention and the therapeutic treatment of GD, highlighting the importance of a family therapeutic approach for the prevention of cognitive distortions.