The current study investigated how self-regulation and emotional distress factors related to gambling frequency and gambling-related consequences among college students. Hypotheses were that self-regulation deficits and emotional distress would significantly relate to higher gambling frequency in the past year and more lifetime gambling-related consequences. Independent variables were also expected to account for a significant proportion of the variance in gambling frequency and gambling-related consequences.

College student participants (18 to 25-years-old; 51.3% Caucasian) completed an Internet survey. Participants were recruited on campus via random selection and via a website accessible to students enrolled at the University where the study took place. Participants who completed more than 2/3 of the items on all measures were included the final analyses (N=162).

Correlational analyses indicated that most predictors (i.e., affect dysregulation, self-control, executive cognitive functioning, impulsivity, depression, anxiety) were related to gambling frequency and gambling consequences. State anxiety accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in gambling frequency; executive function accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in gambling consequences. Sex accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in gambling frequency; Recruitment Method accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in gambling consequences.

This study supported the notion that gambling increases in the context of poor self-regulation and emotional distress, and perhaps students use gambling as a coping mechanism. Those with high levels of self-dysregulation and emotional distress also experienced more consequences, indicating that behavioral under regulation (i.e., lack of control over gambling) occurs in students with poor self-regulation and negative affect. The relations between the outcomes, sex, and recruitment method are notable, suggesting that studies of gambling would benefit by delineating results by gender to aid interpretation, and that recruitment process can influence reports of emotional distress, preferred gambling activities, and experience of consequences.

Implications include the need for research to further clarify the complex relations between intrapersonal factors like self-regulation and emotional distress and gambling and related consequences in college populations. This study calls attention to the need for gambling education and intervention programs on college campuses that address personal factors related the risks associated with gambling.