Cognitive distortions and pathological gambling among Chinese youth

Abstract

This study overviews Chinese youngsters’ fallacy regarding gambling, compares the illusory perceptions of control over gambling outcomes between problem gamblers and average Chinese youngsters and investigates the extent to which cognitive biases can predict pathological gambling. Scales for assessing irrational beliefs about gambling and tendencies to pathological gambling were administered to 801 Chinese students living in Hong Kong. The results indicate that the perceived intention to obtain desired outcomes, illusory control of the primary type and perceived loss of control over gambling behaviours serve as effective indicators of pathological gambling. In view of that, intervention strategies that zero in on cognitive distortions can constitute a pertinent approach for treating local problem gamblers.