Revisiting the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide in Problematic Gambling: Evidence for the Robust Role of Perceived Burdensomeness

Session Title

Poster session

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Start Date

27-5-2026 12:00 AM

Abstract

Problematic gambling (PG) is associated with elevated risk for suicidal ideation (SI). Previous research has explored mechanisms underlying this association, including the application of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS), proposing that suicide risk increases when individuals experience heightened thwarted belonging (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB). To date, only one study has applied this framework to gambling, indicating that PB partially explains the association between PG and SI. However, this study was limited to a two-wave design and did not test whether this effect remained robust after accounting for key psychological covariates, including depressive symptoms and subjective vitality. The present study aims to replicate and extend such findings using a three-wave longitudinal design with six-month intervals. Data from 803 MTurk workers (58.6% male; M = 40.5 years, SD = 12.5) previously screened for gambling engagement were collected online. PG at Wave 1 indirectly predicted SI at Wave 3, assessed 12 months later, via PB at Wave 2 (β = 0.06, p = 0.006). PB explained the link between PG and later SI, remaining robust after adjusting for depressive symptoms, subjective vitality, gambling frequency, and demographics; TB did not mediate. These findings provide longitudinal support for the ITS and identify PB as a key mechanism linking PG to SI in gambling populations. Implications for theory-derived prevention and intervention efforts are discussed.

Author Bios

Holly Mattia, M.S., is a Ph.D. student in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies at Texas Tech University, advised by Devin Mills, Ph.D. She earned a B.S. in Behavioral Science with a minor in Addiction Studies from Western Michigan University and an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Addictions Counseling specialization from Marquette University. Her research interests include gambling disorder, financial disparities and gambling behavior, and addictive behaviors and suicide.

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May 27th, 12:00 AM

Revisiting the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide in Problematic Gambling: Evidence for the Robust Role of Perceived Burdensomeness

Problematic gambling (PG) is associated with elevated risk for suicidal ideation (SI). Previous research has explored mechanisms underlying this association, including the application of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS), proposing that suicide risk increases when individuals experience heightened thwarted belonging (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB). To date, only one study has applied this framework to gambling, indicating that PB partially explains the association between PG and SI. However, this study was limited to a two-wave design and did not test whether this effect remained robust after accounting for key psychological covariates, including depressive symptoms and subjective vitality. The present study aims to replicate and extend such findings using a three-wave longitudinal design with six-month intervals. Data from 803 MTurk workers (58.6% male; M = 40.5 years, SD = 12.5) previously screened for gambling engagement were collected online. PG at Wave 1 indirectly predicted SI at Wave 3, assessed 12 months later, via PB at Wave 2 (β = 0.06, p = 0.006). PB explained the link between PG and later SI, remaining robust after adjusting for depressive symptoms, subjective vitality, gambling frequency, and demographics; TB did not mediate. These findings provide longitudinal support for the ITS and identify PB as a key mechanism linking PG to SI in gambling populations. Implications for theory-derived prevention and intervention efforts are discussed.