The Impact of Problematic Online Gambling on University Students' Lives: Exploring Links With Impulsivity, Emotion Regulation, and Psychological Distress

Purpose: To examine the effect of problematic online gambling on the lives of university students in the context of impulsivity, emotion regulation, and psychological distress. Method: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 200 university students who engage in online gambling. Data were collected using the Online Gambling Addiction Scale, Barratt Impulsivity Scale, Emotion Regulation Difficulties Scale, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. Results: Of students, 93.5% were found to exhibit problematic online gambling, 79% lost money, 34.5% reported impaired relationships, 33.5% reported a negative influence on their academic and social activities, and 19% gambled online by stealing or borrowing money. Higher levels of impulsivity, emotion regulation difficulties, depression, anxiety, and stress were associated with higher levels of problematic online gambling ( p < .001). These predictor variables explained 19.7% of the variance in problematic online gambling. Conclusion: Current findings may help nurses in developing psychosocial interventions to prevent problematic online gambling in university students.