Epidemiology of pathological gambling in Edmonton

Thirty lifetime pathological gamblers (DSM-III, no exclusion criteria) were identified when 7,214 randomly selected household residents of Edmonton were interviewed by trained lay interviewers using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. The lifelong prevalence of pathological gambling was 0.42% (ratio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCanadian journal of psychiatry Vol. 38; no. 2; p. 108
Main Authors Bland, R C, Newman, S C, Orn, H, Stebelsky, G
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.03.1993
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Alberta - epidemiology
Comorbidity
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Gambling - psychology
Humans
Incidence
Male
Mental Disorders - epidemiology
Mental Disorders - psychology
Middle Aged
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Alberta
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Summary:Thirty lifetime pathological gamblers (DSM-III, no exclusion criteria) were identified when 7,214 randomly selected household residents of Edmonton were interviewed by trained lay interviewers using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. The lifelong prevalence of pathological gambling was 0.42% (ratio of males to females 3:1). The peak age of onset was 25 to 29 years. Gamblers had high rates of comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders. They were likely to have made suicide attempts (13.3%), to have been convicted of offences (26.7%), to be spouse and child abusers (23.3% and 16.7% respectively) and to have spent long periods unemployed (40%). In addition, 80% had trouble at home or work because of gambling, and 60% borrowed or stole to gamble.
ISSN:0706-7437
DOI:10.1177/070674379303800207