A longitudinal examination of gambling subtypes in young adulthood

In previous research informed by the Pathways Model (an aetiological framework for problem and disordered gambling), latent mixture modelling was used to identify subtypes of gamblers based on measures of impulsivity, anxiety, depression, drug use, and alcohol dependence. The current study extended these findings by: (a) determining if similar subtypes would be identified in the same sample two years later; and (b) utilizing latent transition analysis (LTA) to determine if class membership remained stable over this time period. The sample (N = 566) included young adult gamblers. In line with previous work on Wave 2 of these data and theoretical considerations, a three class model of gamblers was retained at Wave 4: Non-Problem, Emotionally Vulnerable, and Impulsive. The LTA suggested that the majority of Non-Problem gamblers remained in the same class over time. In contrast, Emotionally Vulnerable gamblers were most likely to transition into the Non-Problem Gambler class, and Impulsive Gamblers were equally likely to transition into the Non-Problem and Emotionally Vulnerable classes. Our study provides evidence for the subtypes of gamblers outlined in the Pathways Model. It is also the first study to provide evidence that membership within Emotionally Vulnerable and Impulsive gambling subtypes is unstable during young adulthood.