(PS6-C71) Beyond Impulsivity: Examining Domains of Executive Dysfunction Across Problematic Gambling and Hazardous Drinking in American College Students

Executive functioning (EF) is a multi-faceted construct important to daily functioning and has been found to be impaired in individuals with gambling disorder and in individuals with alcohol use disorder (Rash et al., 2016). Moreover, deficits in EF are associated with poor treatment engagement, psychiatric comorbidities, and relapse (Verdejo-Garcia, 2015). The present study aims to examine EF in relation to both problem gambling and hazardous drinking in college students. College students’ EF have not yet fully matured, and this population has high rates of gambling problems and hazardous drinking. Moreover, understanding EF domain differences across addictive disorders may point to transdiagnostic targets or the need for more tailored interventions specific to addictive-behavior type.

College students (N=823) aged 18-24 (M=19.23, SD=1.37; 76.5% Female) from 6 American universities were recruited from SONA subject pools. Self-report questionnaires were completed: Barkley’s Deficits in Executive Functioning, Short Form (BDEFS; Barkley, 2011) to assess daily EF. The overall total score represents global EF, and 5 subscales represent different facets of EF: Time Management, Organization and Problem Solving, Self-Restraint, Self-Motivation, and Self-Regulation of Emotions. Higher scores indicate poorer EF. Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI; Ferris & Wynne, 2001) assessed problem gambling severity. Scores ≥ 3 indicate moderate- to high-risk for gambling problems. Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT; Babor et al., 2001) assessed hazardous drinking (scores ≥ 8). Bivariate correlation and ANOVA analyses were conducted.

Overall, 3.04% of participants had a PGSI scored ≥ 3, while 20.53% scored ≥ 8 on the AUDIT. The Mean BDEFS Global score was 39.17 (SD = 11.39). Scores on the PGSI and AUDIT were associated with BDEFS Global scores (r=.133, p< .001; r=.099, p< .01) respectively, and with each other (r=.160, p< .001). A series of 2x2 factorial ANOVAs of problem gambling status by hazardous drinking status were conducted. Significant differences were detected in relation to Global EF (F(3, 6.73, p< .001), Self-Restraint (F(3, 12.94, p< .001), Emotion Regulation (F(3, 5.63, p< .001), Self-Motivation (F(3, 5.75, p< .001), and Time Management (F(3, 2.89, p< .05); differences were not detected between groups regarding Problem Solving, (p>.05). Tukey post-hoc tests found in comparison to the non-problem group: (1) the problem gambling only group had poor EF in relation to Global EF and 3 domains, (2) hazardous drinking only group had poor EF on Global EF and 2 domains, and (3) the problem gambling hazardous drinking group had poor EF on 1 domain, ps>.05. Post-hoc analyses revealed no differences between groups on Time Management.

Per self-report, Global EF, inhibition, emotion regulation, and self-motivation difficulties were significantly higher among problematic gamblers and hazardous drinkers compared to individuals who did not endorse either addictive behavior. Results are partially consistent with the pathways model of gambling (Blaszcynski & Nower, 2002) and support transdiagnostic prevention and intervention efforts around emotion regulation, motivation, and impulsivity (self-restraint).