Overview
The current study is a longitudinal study of this phenomenon using a sample (N = 447) of highly-involved gamblers recruited from the MTurk platform. Using a 6-month timeframe, we found evidence of partial longitudinal mediation of problem gambling and suicidal ideation via perceived burdensomeness.
Qualitative Data
- Problem gambling is linked with increased risk for suicidality.
- We found that perceived burdensomeness helped explain the link between problem gambling and future suicide ideation.
- Additionally, thwarted belongingness also contributed to suicide ideation.
Risk Factor
- Feeling burdensome
- Thwarted Belongingness (feeling isolated, unimportant, undervalued, lacking support and/or meaningful relationships).
Identified Conclusions
- Clinicians should perform routine screening for suicidality and perceived burdensomeness within problem gambling treatment.
Identified Recommendations
Research
- Future research should explore interventions that target perceived burdensomeness in the context of suicidality’s relationship to problem gambling.
Resource
Citation
Heather M. Gray, Timothy C. Edson, Perceived burdensomeness partially mediates the longitudinal relationship between problem gambling and suicidal ideation, Addictive Behaviors, Volume 172, 2025, 108527, ISSN 0306-4603, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108527
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