Religiosity and gambling - moderating role of reflective thinking: A Polish-Georgian Study

Background: This study examines the interplay between religiosity, reflective thinking, and various dimensions of gambling (attitudes towards gambling, gambling behavior, and gambling disorder) within the cultural contexts of Poland and Georgia. It seeks to unravel how religiosity cal serve as both a risk and protective factor in gambling, with a keen focus on the moderating effect of reflective thinking.

Methods:  This research engaged quasi-representative samples from Georgia (n = 1001)  and Poland (n = 1202 ) in the CAWI survey. It incorporated Huber's Centrality of Religiosity Scale, the Cognitive Reflection Test (Sirota, Juanchich version), the Gambling Attitude Scale (Orford et al.), and a bespoke Gambling Sheet

Results: The study's initial findings supports the hypothesis that reflective thinking significantly moderates the influence of religiosity on attitudes, behaviors, and disorders related to gambling. Notably, this moderation exhibits variability between the two countries, indicating that cultural context significantly shapes how religiosity and reflective thinking interact in influencing gambling-related outcomes.

Conclusions: Highlighting the complex nexus of religiosity, cognitive processes, and gambling, this research underscores the need for a multilevel, multidimesional and culturally sensitive approach in future studies on the interrelations between religiosity/spirituality and gambling.