The relationship between memory associations, gambling involvement, and problem gambling.

The current study aimed to examine the relationship between implicit memory associations, gambling involvement, and problem gambling in a large representative group of Canadian adults. The sample consisted of 3078 (48.1% males, mean age 43.93, SD = 15.82) adult online panelists from across Canada that included 388 problem and pathological gamblers. Memory associations were assessed using a 10-item measure of word associations and a 10-item measure of behavioural associations. Gambling involvement was assessed via self-report of involvement, and problem gambling was assessed using the Problem and Pathological Gambling Measure (PPGM). Significant associations were found between measures of memory associations and both level of gambling involvement and problem gambling, with the magnitude of the correlations ranging from 0.262 to 0.388. Behavioural associations tended to have a stronger relationship with gambling involvement and problem gambling than word associations. The results of this study suggest that implicit associations may have utility in the assessment of problem gambling.