Interpersonal Guilt in College Student Pathological Gamblers

BACKGROUND: Interpersonal guilt is associated with psychopathology, but its relationship to pathological gambling has not been studied. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between interpersonal guilt and pathological gambling. METHODS: In total, 1979 college students completed a questionnaire containing the South Oaks Gambling Screen, Interpersonal Guilt Questionnaire, and questions about substance use. Students identified as pathological gamblers (n = 145) were matched to nonproblem gamblers with respect to demographics and substance use. RESULTS: Pathological gamblers had significantly higher interpersonal guilt than their nonproblem gambling peers. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Pathological gambling college students have excessive interpersonal guilt, and these findings may lead to novel treatment approaches.