Tension reduction theory suggests anxious people gamble to cope with negative affect. Literature demonstrates mixed associations between anxiety and gambling behaviours, hence, the important of examining moderators. This study examined how impulsivity moderated anxiety and problem gambling as well as gambling to cope. Given key gender differences, moderation was examined across genders. A sample of 484 undergraduate students who endorsed gambling behaviours completed anxiety, impulsivity, and problem gambling measures. Results showed men with higher levels of anxiety scored higher on problem gambling at both high (B = 0.706, SE = 0.073, p < 0.0001, f² = 0.20) and low (B = 0.262, SE = 0.103, p = 0.01, f² = 0.01) impulsivity, though the effect sizes were much larger for men with high impulsivity. This moderation effect was not found in women (B = 0.000, SE = 0.009, p = 0.959). Results showed men with higher levels of anxiety scored higher on coping motives for gambling at both high (B = 0.253, SE = 0.046, p < 0.0001, f² = 0.06) and low B = 0.141, SE = 0.063, p = 0.026, f² = 0.01) impulsivity, though the effect sizes were larger for men with high impulsivity. Again, this moderation effect was not found in women (B = − 0.101, SE = 0.006, p = 0.100). Findings from this may help inform impulsivity-focused interventions, such as strengthening impulse control and instilling more adaptive coping strategies to lower gambling risk among university men.

缓解紧张理论表明，焦虑的人通过赌博来应对负面情绪。文献表明焦虑和赌博行为之间存在复杂的关联，因此检查调节者非常重要。这项研究探讨了冲动如何缓解焦虑和问题赌博以及应对赌博的方式。鉴于关键的性别差异，我们对不同性别的适度性进行了检查。484 名认可赌博行为的本科生样本完成了焦虑、冲动和问题赌博测量。结果显示，焦虑水平较高的男性在赌博问题上的得分较高，无论是高焦虑水平 ( B  = 0.706，SE  = 0.073，p  < 0.0001，f ²  = 0.20) 还是低焦虑水平 ( B  = 0.262，SE  = 0.103，p  = 0.01，f) ²  = 0.01) 冲动，尽管对于高冲动的男性来说，效果要大得多。在女性中没有发现这种调节效应（B  = 0.000，SE  = 0.009，p  = 0.959）。结果显示，焦虑水平较高的男性在赌博应对动机方面得分较高，无论是高B  = 0.253，SE  = 0.046，p  < 0.0001，f ²  = 0.06）还是低B  = 0.141，SE  = 0.063，p  = 0.026，f ²  = 0.01) 冲动，尽管对于高冲动的男性来说，效果更大。同样，在女性中没有发现这种调节效应（B  = − 0.101，SE  = 0.006，p  = 0.100）。研究结果可能有助于为以冲动为重点的干预措施提供信息，例如加强冲动控制和灌输更具适应性的应对策略，以降低大学生的赌博风险。