Behavioural expressions of loss-chasing in gambling: A systematic scoping review.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic scoping review mapping literature operationalisations (by design analogy, non-interventional)
PubMed 37648042 · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105377
What was done
A systematic scoping review was conducted to characterize and map the heterogeneous operational definitions of loss-chasing across the gambling literature.
What was found
Loss-chasing was broadly conceptualized into two paradigms across reviewed studies: between-sessions (n = 39) and within-sessions (n = 38). Between-session loss-chasing was captured by self-report items (endorsing returning another time to recoup losses), tracking intervals between successive gambling sessions, or observing increased stakes in subsequent sessions. Within-session loss-chasing was defined as continuing or intensifying play via higher risk-taking, larger stake sizes, or faster speed of play. Substantial heterogeneity was identified regarding gambling contexts, the operational definition of a loss, and the delineation of loss-chasing from win-chasing. No quantitative effect sizes were reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
Loss-chasing is a core clinical criterion for gambling disorder, but fragmented operational definitions hinder cross-study comparability. This taxonomy establishes the distinct behavioral expressions used in research to help standardize future measurement.
Limits
The review maps operational definitions rather than evaluating the diagnostic accuracy, clinical validity, or quantitative effect sizes of these measures. The abstract does not specify study search dates, quality appraisal metrics, or whether the 39 between-session and 38 within-session study counts contain overlapping publications.
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