The relationship between gambling cognitions, psychological states, and gambling - A cross-cultural study of Chinese and Caucasians in Australia

High rates of gambling and problem gambling among the Chinese have been well documented in anecdotal and empirical reports. However, there is a lack of research on the relationship between important gambling correlates (e.g., gambling cognitions and psychological states) and gambling. This study investigated the role of gambling cognitions and psychological states on problem gambling behavior among 501 participants (306 Caucasians and 195 Chinese living in Australia). Participants completed the South Oaks Gambling Screen, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), and the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS). A significant positive relationship between GRCS and DASS on problem gambling behavior was found for both groups. Further gender disparities in anxiety, stress, and illusion of control were revealed for both ethnicities. Implications of these findings and possible future research are discussed.