The gambling disorder: family styles and cognitive dimensions

OBJECTIVE: In this study we present data from a research carried out on a population of people with gambling disorder (GD).SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This research investigated the representation of family styles for subjects with gambling disorder, using the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES-IV), their cognitive distortions through Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS-I), and the relation between these two dimensions.RESULTS: People with GD represent families with emotional detachment, while in the area of management of relational rules and roles, they reveal a perception of disorganization. Concerning their cognitive bias. GD people show the illusion of being able to control and predict the winnings and the perception of being unable to quit playing.CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these data provide specific directions for both the prevention and the therapeutic treatment of GD, highlighting the importance of a family therapeutic approach for the prevention of cognitive distortions.