Roles of impulsivity and stress on problem gambling in a sample  of Nigerian undergraduate students

Cecilia. O.  Apex-Apeh; Joy I.  Ugwu; Amauche B.  Onyishi; Lovelyn N.  Obayi; Victor O.  Odo; Nneoma G.  Onyedire; Fustina U.  Nwaizugbo

Cecilia. O. Apex-Apeh
Joy I. Ugwu
Amauche B. Onyishi
Lovelyn N. Obayi
Victor O. Odo
Nneoma G. Onyedire
Fustina U. Nwaizugbo

Abstract

This study examined the predictive roles of impulsivity and stress in gambling addiction among undergraduates in Enugu, Nigeria. Participants were 250 students (mean = 20.54, SD = 2.63), consisting of 163 females and 87 males between the ages of 16 and 28years. Participants were conveniently selected based on their availability and willingness to participate from six faculties of the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Participants responded to three instruments; Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-15), Perceptual stress scale (PSS) and gambling addiction severity index (PGSI). Hierarchical multiple regression results showed that impulsivity significantly predicted gambling addiction (β = 2.36, p <.05). Stress also predicted gambling addiction (β = .32, p <.001). The result portrays that the more students act impulsively, the more likely they engage in problematic gaming. Those who were more stressed also report more gambling problems.