URGAME-C

On October 26, the closing meeting took place at the Stelios Ioannou Learning Center at the University of Cyprus for the project URGAME-C, funded by the Cyprus National Betting Authority. Present were the research team of CAN - Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology Lab, under the directorship of Professor Georgia Panayiotou, and the Chair and representatives of the National Betting Authority.

On October 26, the closing meeting took place at the Stelios Ioannou Learning Center at the University of Cyprus for the project URGAME-C, funded by the Cyprus National Betting Authority. Present were the research team of CAN – Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology Lab, under the directorship of Professor Georgia Panayiotou, and the Chair and representatives of the National Betting Authority.

The study program, which ran over two years, used a diverse array of methodologies (systematic reviews, on-line surveys, telephone surveys, field study, online intervention) to study the role of emotion regulation difficulties as a mechanism in problematic gambling behavior, while at the same time describing gambling behavior in Cyprus. The project also initially piloted an intervention targeting emotion regulation, to prevent problem gambling behavior.

Findings of the project indicate that specific emotion regulation difficulties, including lack of awareness, and use of avoidance to cope with stress, clearly distinguish problem gamblers from social/non-problem gamblers, providing a target for interventions to prevent this phenomenon, which incurs substantial social, economic and personal costs.

The research team wishes to thank the National Betting Authority for providing the funding and continuous support throughout the project’s lifetime.

Center for Applied Neuroscience

URGAME-C

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