Homelessness, negative affect, and coping among veterans with gambling problems who misused substances.

Compared with other populations with addictions, pathological gamblers have higher levels of negative affect and poor coping. A total of 154 formerly homeless veterans who misused substances were assessed six months after treatment to determine whether those with a gambling problem (N = 22) had more negative affect and poorer coping than those without a gambling problem and whether they were more likely to have unstable housing and employment. The veterans with a gambling problem had significantly higher levels of negative affect and poorer coping but did not differ from the other veterans in housing and employment stability.