Modeling potential psychological risk factors of pathological gambling

This paper proposes a model of potential psychological risk factors anteced ent to pathological gambling. Proposed relationships are tested using a str uctural Equations methodology for 2 samples: (a) gamblers composed of membe rs of Gamblers Anonymous and individuals clinically diagnosed and in treatm ent for pathological gambling, and (b) a demographically matched sample dra wn from the general population of a 3-state area from which the gamblers we re recruited. Results show both intriguing similarities and differences in relationships among the risk factors. Specifically, for these 2 samples, re lationships among the constructs of neurotic/obsessive thoughts, self-estee m, impulsiveness, and anxiety/nervousness are generally similar, but relati onships between model constructs and a measure of probable pathological gam bling varies across the samples.