The Effect of Shame and Self-Efficacy on Gambling Behaviour

Previous research has identified the benefits of increasing self-efficacy in problem gamblers, while other research has identified higher levels of shame and dysfunctional coping in problem gamblers. The primary aim of the present study was to examine the relationships between problem gambling behaviour, shame (as both a personality trait and an emotional state), gambling-related self-efficacy, and dysfunctional coping mechanisms. The sample consisted of 235 participants (172 male; mean age = 30.32, SD = 8.57), who completed an online, self-report questionnaire that assessed gambling severity, shame-proneness, post-gambling shame and guilt, and dysfunctional coping. Data were assessed using path analysis models. As hypothesised, more problematic gambling was significantly associated with dysfunctional coping. A pathway mediation model was determined and several mediator variables were found to operate in series, including: shame proneness, post-gambling shame, and gambling-related self-efficacy. This research supports and builds on previous research that has highlighted the detrimental effect of problem gambling and shame on coping mechanisms, and the benefits of gambling-related self-efficacy for subsequent coping. A limitation of the study was that 18.7% of the sample reported scores indicative of probable pathological gambling, while most of the remaining sample were representative of recreational gambling. Implications of this are discussed.