A deconstruction of gambling task performance among HIV+ individuals: the differential contributions of problem solving and risk taking

J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2013;35(10):1036-47. doi: 10.1080/13803395.2013.848842. Epub 2013 Oct 30.

Abstract

This study sought to deconstruct gambling task (GT) performance among HIV+ individuals (N = 143) and is intended to capture other cognitive features of task performance (i.e., problem solving and strategy preference). Consistent with our hypotheses, cluster analysis identified three GT groups: a safe/advantageous (AS) strategy group, a risky/disadvantageous (RS) strategy group, and a novel third group who failed to develop a strategy (NS). The NS group performed worst on global neuropsychological performance, processing speed, and executive function. Our results support a novel measure of GT task performance and suggest that failure to develop/implement a strategy reflects cognitive dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Cognition Disorders / virology
  • Decision Making / physiology*
  • Female
  • Games, Experimental
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Problem Solving / physiology*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk-Taking*