Gambling as stress recovery? : a new perspective on the stress - gambling relationship

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between a work stressor (i.e., job demands) and gambling activity, as well as the moderating role of gambling activity in the relationship between job demands and short-term strain. Principal components analysis showed that gambling activities form three components: gambling - skill, gambling - chance, and playing the lottery. Results showed that relations did exist between job demands and gambling - chance but not gambling - skill. Moderation analysis showed that partaking in gambling activity, regardless of the activity, is related to lower levels of short-term strain in the face of increased job demands. In addition, recovery experiences had a significant positive relationship with gambling - skill and with gambling - chance. Altogether, the study suggests that the work environment (e.g., job demands) is related to employee gambling behaviour and that gambling is related to lower levels of employee strain in the short term.