Mediating Effect of Depression on the Relationship between Gambling Severity and Cognitive Distortion: Secondary Data Analysis of Korea Center on Gambling Problems / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test the mediating effect of depression on the relationship between gambling severity and cognitive distortion in Koreans with a gambling disorder. METHODS: Secondary data from a comprehensive assessment of problematic gambling between 2015 and 2017 on Korea Center on Gambling Problems were used. The subjects in this study were 254 Koreans with that gambling disorder. Data were collected with self-report structured questionnaires which included individual characteristics, the Korean version of Problem Gambling Severity Index, the Center for the Epidemiologic Studies Depression, and the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA with the Scheffé test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and a mediation analysis of the Baron and Kenny method with the SPSS 22.0 program. RESULTS: Significant correlations emerged among the three variables, gambling severity, depression, and cognitive distortion. Depression exerted a partial mediating effect (β=.20, p < .001) on the relationship between gambling severity and cognitive distortion (Sobel test: z=2.33, p=.012). CONCLUSION: Based on this study's findings, nursing intervention programs focused on managing gambling severity and decreasing depression are highly recommended to alleviate cognitive distortion in people with a gambling disorder.

Effects of a Family Education Program for Families of Pathological Gamblers

PURPOSE: This study was done to examine the intervention effects on the family of a family education program for pathological gamblers based on Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT). METHODS: A quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The participants were 44 families of pathological gamblers from G center in Gyung-gi Province and 5 Gam-Anon groups in Seoul City and Gyung-gi Province. The experimental group (n=22) attended the 6 weekly 2 hour-long CRAFT family education program. The control group (n=22) attended the 12-step program of Gam-Anon. Data were collected from November, 2011 to May, 2012. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed significant decrease in depression (p=.001) and state anger (p=.039). There were no significant differences between groups in the level of interpersonal communication, trait anger, the mode of anger expression and self-esteem. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study suggest that the CRAFT family education program is effective in decreasing depression and state anger in families of pathological gamblers.