Page No 157-164
T. Toihon Konyak and Lovika P. Shikhu
Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Meriema
Gambling behavior and its impact on mental health are akin to other non-substance
addictions such as internet addiction, and gambling problems are highly associated
with impaired emotional processes, mood, depression, anxiety and stress. The aim of
the present study is to explore the relationship between gambling and alexithymia,
emotion regulation and psychological distress such as depression, anxiety and stress
among adults. Using purposive and snowball sampling method, data was collected
from 100 adults and analyzed using Pearson Correlation to examine the association
between gambling and the emotional constructs. The findings showed a significant
positive correlation between gambling and psychological distress (r=.232, p<0.05). No
significant association was noted between gambling and alexithymia and gambling
and emotional regulation. However, a strong positive correlation was found between
alexithymia and emotion regulation (r=.287, p<0.01), likewise a positive correlation
was seen in alexithymia and depression, anxiety, and stress (r=.299, p<0.01) and a
positive correlation between emotion regulation and depression, anxiety, and stress
(r=.354, p<0.01).Simple regression indicated gambling significantly predicted depression,
anxiety, and stress.