Hopelessness in gambling disorder: relationship with affect, alexithymia and gambling motives in young adults

ABSTRACT Gambling disorder has an increasing impact among young adults, which is a relevant life period in which emotional states and their management are of great importance. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between positive and negative affect, alexithymia, gambling motives, and hopelessness, and the predictive role of affect, alexithymia, and gambling motives on hopelessness. The sample comprised 83 participants, 92.8% men and 7.2% women who were in treatment for gambling disorder. Age ranged from 18 to 30 years (M = 24.83; SD = 3.80). Results showed that hopelessness correlated positively with negative affect, alexithymia and coping-related gambling motives, and negatively with positive affect. Similarly, social motives correlated with alexithymia and negative affect. In turn, coping-related motives and alexithymia also correlated with negative affect. Finally, motives for enhancement were predictors of hopelessness. These results may provide guidance for further clinical and preventive interventions in young populations.