Cue-Reactive Phenomenology Mediates the Relationship Between Positive Schizotypy and Cue-Reactive Urge to Gamble in Poker-Machine Gamblers

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Although ubiquitous in numerous nightlife cultures, poker-machines present a high risk for problematic use and addiction. Previous research has demonstrated that gambling cues (e.g., flashing lights) can activate gambling urges in poker-machine gamblers. However, the processes that contribute to the maintenance of cue-reactive urges to gamble remain unclear. Consequently, the present study explored whether positive schizotypy predicted gambling urge, and whether cue-reactive altered state of awareness, cue-reactive altered time sense, and cue-reactive absorption mediated this relationship. Seventy adults aged between 19 and 68 (<jats:italic>M</jats:italic> = 48.86, <jats:italic>SD</jats:italic> = 12.82) participated in an online cue-reactivity experiment. Participants first completed the <jats:italic>Problem Gambling Severity Index</jats:italic> and the Unusual Experiences subscale of the <jats:italic>Short Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences</jats:italic>. Subsequently, at three time points (i.e., baseline, directly after a neutral cue, and directly after a gambling cue) participants completed the Altered State of Awareness, Altered Time Sense, and Absorption subscales of the <jats:italic>Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory</jats:italic> and a visual analogue scale measuring cue-reactive urge to gamble. It was found that positive schizotypy was significantly positively correlated with cue-reactive urge to gamble. Additionally, cue-reactive altered state of awareness, cue-reactive altered time sense, and cue-reactive absorption mediated this relationship. The theoretical, clinical and practical implications are discussed.</jats:p>