Sex differences among treatment-seeking adult pathologic gamblers

• Published in: Comprehensive psychiatry Vol. 50; no. 2; pp. 173 - 180
• Main Authors: Granero, Roser, Penelo, Eva, Martínez-Giménez, Raquel, Álvarez-Moya, Eva, Gómez-Peña, Mónica, Aymamí, Maria Neus, Bueno, Blanca, Fernández-Aranda, Fernando, Jiménez-Murcia, Susana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.03.2009; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Behavior; Biological and medical sciences; Conflict (Psychology); Female; Females; Gambling; Gambling - psychology; Gaming machines; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Males; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Personality Disorders - psychology; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychometrics; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Factors; Studies; Substance abuse treatment; Europe; Spain; Human; Social environment; Help seeking; Impulse control disorder; Mental health; Sex; Clinical form; Personality; Pathological gambling; Symptomatology; Treatment; Sociodemographic factor; Young adult; Adult; Severity score; Predictive factor; Public health
• ISSN: 0010-440X; 1532-8384
• DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.07.005

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of sex as a moderator variable for gambling and clinical profiles in a large sample of Spanish treatment-seeking patients for pathologic gambling (PG). Method Clinical and personality profiles were compared between 143 male and 143 female pathologic gamblers who sought consultation at a specialized hospital unit. Multiple regressions explored the incremental predictive accuracy of sex on PG severity in consideration of sociodemographic and psychologic characteristics. Results Men gambled most frequently using slot machines and lotteries, spent more money, and had most arguments with family and friends. Although the age of onset of PG was 7.1 years higher for females, the severity was equal for both sexes. Women evidenced more general psychopathology, with higher mean scores in all the Symptom ChekList-90 items scales (except for hostility and psychoticism), and had significantly higher scores for harm avoidance and lower scores for self-directedness than the male group. However, sex alone did not obtain a significant incremental validity for PG severity. Conclusions These results may provide guidance for obtaining accurate diagnostic information about PG, properly identifying patients with specific needs and planning sex-specific targets.