Psychology of Gambling Disorder with Dr. Catania

Module Overview:

The "Psychology of Gambling Disorder" module offers a comprehensive examination of the psychological aspects of gambling disorder. It begins by introducing assessment tools like the DSM-5 and the Reno Model. Learners will gain insights into distinguishing behavioural disorders from substance-related disorders. The module delves into widely recognized screening tools such as CPGI, PGSI, GA20, and others, which are essential for diagnosis and evaluation. It further covers the various prevalence study approaches adopted by different countries, shedding light on the scale of the issue. The module concludes by exploring progressive addiction, drawing from multiple psychological schools of thought, including psychoanalysis, behaviourism, social psychology, biological psychology, humanism, and cognitive psychology.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the role of assessment tools like the DSM-5 and the Reno Model in diagnosing gambling disorder.
• Differentiate between behavioural and substance-related disorders.
• Explore key screening tools, including CPGI, PGSI, and GA20.
• Gain insight into prevalence study approaches across different countries.
• Comprehend the concept of progressive addiction and its significance in gambling disorder. 
• Examine the contributions of various psychological schools of thought in understanding and addressing gambling disorder.

Dr. Maris Catania is a Chartered Psychologist and a veteran in the gambling industry, with over fourteen years of experience in game integrity and safer gambling.

Dr. Catania holds multiple advanced degrees, including a PhD from Nottingham Trent University, where her research focused on consumer protection, markers of harm, and responsible gambling under the supervision of Professor Mark Griffiths. She also holds an MSc in Occupational Psychology, a MSc in Addiction Studies, and is currently pursuing a MSc in Artificial Intelligence. Her work has earned her the Gambling Compliance Most Significant Contribution to Responsible Gambling Research award for three consecutive years.

In addition to her industry work, Dr. Catania teaches at the University of Malta, delivering lectures on gambling psychology, gaming psychology, gambling policy, behavioral addiction, and cyberpsychology. Her research is available on ResearchGate.