Attachment dimensions and adolescent gambling: The mediating role of mentalization

Abstract

Background: Several studies demonstrated that insecure attachment style represents a risk factor for gambling behavior. The recent literature strongly argues that attachment could be better described as a dimensional construct, in as much as variations in attachment seem to exist on a graded continuum rather than in categories, better grasped by dimensional models. However, only a few studies have investigated the role of specific attachment dimensions in adolescent gambling. Moreover, even if the role of attachment style on mentalization abilities and their influence on gambling are well established, no studies have so far investigated how attachment dimensions and mentalization interact each other in influencing gambling behavior. The present study was aimed to clarify the role of specific dimensions of attachment in adolescent gambling and to explore, for the first time, the causal relationships between attachment, mentalization, and adolescent gambling. Methods: Four hundred and eighty-two adolescents aged 16-20 years were administered the South Oaks Gambling Screen Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA), the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), and the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8). Results: The results of the hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that high scores on Uncertainty about mental states (RFQ-8) and Preoccupation with relationships (ASQ) were significant predictors of gambling severity. Moreover, mediational analysis revealed that the effect of Preoccupation with relationships on gambling severity was totally mediated by Uncertainty about mental states. Conclusion: The present study provided, for the first time, insight into the interrelationships between attachment dimensions, mentalization, and gambling severity, and suggested that preoccupation with relationships may be an important precursor to gambling and support the hypothesis that adolescents preoccupied with relationships have more severe gambling involvement due to poor mentalization abilities. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords

• gambling
• adolescent gambling
• mentalization
• attachment dimensions
• mediation analysis
• clinical psychology.