Narrowing of Attention and Dissociation in Pathological Video Lottery Gamblers.

Abstract

The phenomena of attention and dissociation were investigated in pathological and occasional video lottery (VLT) gamblers. Twelve problem VLT gamblers [mean age 41.3; 6 male, 6 female; South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS; Lesieur & Blume, 1987) scores >/= 5] were compared to a group of 11 occasional VLT gamblers, (mean age 31.9; 4 male, 7 female; SOGS scores < 5). Pathological gamblers were slower than occasional gamblers in reacting to irrelevant external light stimuli while playing on a demonstration video lottery terminal. They were significantly more likely to report more symptoms of general dissociation as measured by the Dissociative Experiences Scale (Bernstein & Putnam, 1986). The results suggest that pathological gamblers may experience a greater narrowing of attention than occasional gamblers when engaged in VLT play.