Cognitive and affective factors are related to adolescent problem gambling? An empirical study with Italian adolescents

Introduction: Although research suggests that different factors are related to negative consequences from gambling in adolescents (see Dowling et al., 2017; for a review), studies typically focused on specific risk factors separately with less attention on the integration of these aspects (e.g., Donati et al., 2013; Ricijas et al., 2016). In order to understand how cognitive and affective risk factors are reciprocally related and affect pro blem gambling in youth, we analyze gambling-related cogni tive distortions, gambling expectancies, and impulsivity, in association with gambling behavior. Method: The Gambling Behavior Scale – For Adolescents (GBS A; Primi et al., 2015), the Gambling Expectancies Question naire (GEQ; Gillespie et al., 2007), the revised version for adolescents of the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS; Donati & Primi, in preparation), and the Short UPPS-P Impulsi vity Scale (Billieux et al., 2012; D’Orta et al., 2015) were admi nistered to 447 North-Italian adolescents (72% Males, Mean Age = 16.82) attending different high schools.