Pathological Gambling in Spanish Children and Adolescents: An Emerging Problem

1997 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 275-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisardo Becoña

Several studies have shown a high prevalence of pathological gamblers among adults in Spain (between 1.5% and 1.7%) of the population (18 years and older). In other countries the prevalence of pathological gambling in children and adolescents has been higher than in adults. Here some results of the first studies conducted in Spain concerning the prevalence of pathological gambling in school children and adolescents (11–16 years) are presented for two cities located in different northern regions of Spain, A Coruña (Galicia) and Gijón (Asturias), with representative samples of school children. The prevalence was 2.2% ( n = 1,200) and 1.6% ( n = 2,185), respectively, for the use of slot machines, using the 1993 DSM-IVJ Questionnaire of Fisher, and 2.4% in the first city with the South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised Adolescent for all types of gambling. The analyses suggest there is an emerging problem among children and adolescents in Spain perhaps leading to an increased number of pathological gamblers as adults.

2005 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 451-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Ladouceur ◽  
Christian Jacques ◽  
Serge Chevalier ◽  
Serge Sévigny ◽  
Denis Hamel

Objective: To assess gambling behaviours and the problems associated with pathological gambling among the adult population of Quebec in 2002. Method: In Phase 1 of this 2-phase study, a total sample of 8842 adults was assessed. We used the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), adapted for telephone interview, to assess one-half of the sample; the other one-half was evaluated with the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI). In the study's second phase, we compared the classifications obtained from these screening instruments with classifications obtained by a psychologist using a semistructured clinical telephone interview. Results: The results indicate that the prevalence of pathological gambling in 2002 (at which time 0.8% of the adult population were classified as probable pathological gamblers) did not differ from the proportion obtained in 1996 (1.0%), despite the significant decrease in gambling participation in 2002 (81% vs 90% in 1996). The most popular gambling activities were buying lottery tickets (68%), participating in fundraising draws (40%), gambling in casinos (18%), playing cards with family or with friends (10%), playing bingo (9%), and playing video lotteries (8%). The findings obtained from the SOGS and the CPGI revealed that the 2 instruments perform similarly when identifying pathological gambling prevalence. However, the results of the semistructured clinical telephone interviews differed from the results obtained with the screening instruments: 82% of the gamblers initially identified as probable pathological gamblers by the SOGS or the CPGI were not confirmed by a clinical interview. Conclusion: The discrepancy between the results of the screening questionnaires and the clinical evaluation is significant, and this difference needs to be addressed before further cross-sectional or longitudinal studies are conducted.


2006 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 407-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Crawford Moodie ◽  
Frances Finnigan

As most research concerning gambling and depression has been conducted on clinical populations, the present study examined the relationship between gambling and depression across a large sample in Scotland in higher education and the community. A questionnaire-based cluster design involved the distribution of the South Oaks Gambling Screen and the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale mainly to students and staff of higher educational establishments, with small community and gambling samples also included. Thirty-seven colleges and universities across Scotland participated in the research, with a sample of 2,259 people aged sixteen years of age or over ( M = 28.9 yr., SD = 13.4) being obtained. It was found that past-year probable pathological gamblers had significantly higher depression than problem gamblers, nonproblem gamblers, and nongamblers. However, when probable pathological gamblers who had sought treatment were omitted from the analysis, the nontreatment-seeking probable pathological gambling group no longer had significantly higher depression than the problem gambling group. Female problem and probable pathological gamblers had particularly high depressive symptomatology, suggesting comorbid depression may be a prominent feature of problematic female gambling.


2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 435-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viorel Lupu ◽  
Izabela Ramona Lupu

Background and Aims. The purpose of the present study was to measure the prevalence of problem and pathological gambling in children and adolescents at a national level, given that previous studies at regional level  had demonstrated high rates of prevalence.Methods. After designing the sample (2006 children and adolescents aged 11-19 years) we used two validated instruments for measuring the prevalence of problem and pathological gambling in children and adolescents – South Oaks Gambling Screen –Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA) and 20 Questions of Gamblers Anonymous Revised for Adolescents (20 GA-RA).Results. The following data have been found: gambling at risk is 7.1% and problem and pathological gambling is 4%, when results were analyzed by SOGS-RA; prevalence of problem gambling is 10.1% and pathological gambling is 2.6% when results were analyzed by 20 GA-RA.Conclusions. High rates of prevalence are noticed in Romania, similar to other European countries. This rates are based on self-reported questionnaires, meaning that real rates may be higher than reported, being known that children and adolescents tend to give socially expected response. An important issue is that we found pathological gambling at  the age of only 11 years. Our results compared to those of other studies from Romania are very similar to those from other European countries. 


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominica Díez ◽  
Núria Aragay ◽  
Mercè Soms ◽  
Gemma Prat ◽  
Miquel Casas

AbstractAlthough in the last years several studies comparing male and female pathological gamblers have been published, most of them have been carried out using only samples of males. The aim of this study was to investigate gender differences in a sample of subjects diagnosed with pathological gambling (PG) attending three specialized outpatient units. Retrospective study was carried out of 96 patients (49% female and 51% male), comparing the main socio-demographic, clinical, and behavioral data. Most subjects (94%) met the criteria for pathological gambling. No significant differences between sexes were found in the severity of gambling behavior or the socio-demographic variables studied. Whereas slot machines were the main type of game for most subjects, a higher percentage of women were addicted to bingo (χ2(1, 4)= 5.19,p =.029 Cohen’sd= 0.48) and had more than one type of game as a secondary addiction χ2(1, 4)= 7.63,p =.006; Cohen’sd =0.59) . Women started gambling at a later age than men (t(94)= 2.95,p= .004; Cohen’sd =0.60), but developed a pattern of addiction faster (t(94)= 2.95,p= .004; Cohen’sd =–0.61) . Women also had higher comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders (χ2(1)= 7.28,p =.007; Cohen’sd =0.57), specifically with affective (χ2(1)= 11.31,p =.001; Cohen’sd =0.73) and personality disorders (χ2(1)= 4.71,p =.030; Cohen’sd =0.45). Our results indicate the existence of differences between women and men in the pattern of gambling behavior and in psychiatric comorbidity. These aspects should be considered in the design of treatment programs for pathological gamblers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S394-S394
Author(s):  
G. Rogier ◽  
P. Velotti

IntroductionIn empirical literature, impulsivity is identified as a core feature of gambling addiction. Furthermore, pathological gamblers are prone to have a poor self-esteem. Previous researches studied the link between impulsivity and self-esteem bringing contrasting results. However, relationships between such constructs among pathological gamblers have not been investigated.ObjectivesWe sought to explore the associations among pathological gambling, self-esteem and different facets of impulsivity comparing a clinical sample of pathological gamblers with community participants.AimsTo highlight patterns of associations between self-esteem and impulsiveness in pathological gambling.MethodsA sample of pathological gamblers and a sample of healthy men, were administered the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES).ResultsAs expected, levels of impulsivity were significantly higher in the clinical sample while levels of self-esteem were significantly lower. A significant and negative correlation between impulsivity and self-esteem was found among pathological gamblers. Different patterns of associations were found between self-esteem and dimensions of impulsivity.ConclusionsCoherently with others results, our study confirmed that pathological gamblers showed high impulsivity and low self-esteem. The peculiars patterns of associations between impulsivity and self-esteem could be informative to tailor treatment programs for pathological gamblers.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2003 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 707-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. González-Ibáñez ◽  
M. N. Aymamí ◽  
S. Jiménez ◽  
J. M. Domenech ◽  
R. Granero ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to classify pathological gamblers based on their psychopathology as related to the variable sensation-seeking, and to check possible differences between the groups on the sociodemographic variables. The sample was composed of 110 male pathological gamblers using slot machines who requested treatment at the Pathological Gambling Unit at the Ciutat Sanitària i Universitària de Bellvitge. It was observed that pathological gamblers comprise three clusters, differentiated with differing severity depression, psychoticism, somatization, impulsiveness, interpersonal sensitivity, and phobic anxiety. Cluster 1, representing 46.7% of the sample, showed mean scores higher than or equal to T = 63. On the subscales of Depression, Psychoticism, Interpersonal Sensidvity, Phobic Anxiety, and Obsessiveness–Compulsiveness the score was close to T = 63 (the clinical cut-off score). Cluster 2, representing 23.8% of the sample, scored higher than Cluster 1 on the following subscales: Depression, Phobic Anxiety, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Psychoticism, Obsessive–Compulsive, and Somatization. On Cluster 3 highest mean scores were observed on all SCL-90-R dimensions relative to the other two groups. What distinguished these subgroups is not symptomatology but the severity of the psychopathology. On the other hand, sensation seeking was similar for the three clusters, and the slight differences depended on the subjects' psychopathology.


2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-247
Author(s):  
Bernadeta Lelonek-Kuleta ◽  
Rafał P Bartczuk

The goals of this study were to estimate the levels of involvement in gambling and gambling disorders among Polish prisoners and to identify selected psychosocial factors associated with gambling activities. The study was conducted in randomly selected penitentiaries with therapeutic and non-therapeutic programmes. It covered 1219 male prisoners and used a specially designed 75-item questionnaire, including South Oaks Gambling Screen. About 29.4% of prisoners had exhibited pathological gambling symptoms at some point in their lives (based on South Oaks Gambling Screen). Pathological gamblers were characterised by: city residence, not being educated above lower-secondary, being single, having other gamblers and pathological gamblers among their close friends or family and use of psychoactive substances while gambling. Pathological gamblers were motivated by the desire to win, to escape from problems and to experience powerful emotions. The prevalence of gambling disorders in the prison population suggests that there is a need for systemic action to be introduced to prevent the development of pathological gambling in penitentiaries and also within groups at risk of criminal activity.


1997 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 1051-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keis Ohtsuka ◽  
Eric Bruton ◽  
Louisa Deluca ◽  
Victoria Borg

With recent introduction of poker machines in Australia, there have been claims of increases in the number of women with gambling-related problems. Research in the United States indicates, however, that men have a higher incidence of pathological gambling. The aims of this study were to ascertain among game machine users in a major city in Australia whether (a) more women than men exhibited symptoms of pathological gambling, (b) women reported higher guilt associated with their gambling, and (c) gamblers' self-assessment on several mood states was predictive of pathological gambling. A modified version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen was administered to 104 users of game machines (44 men, 60 women) sampled from patrons at gaming venues in Melbourne, Australia. Data indicated no significant sex difference in the proportion of pathological gamblers or in gambling-related guilt. Self-assessment of Happiness, Propensity for Boredom, and Loneliness, significantly predicted scores on the South Oaks Gambling Screen, with Unhappiness a significant independent predictor of pathological gambling. This may suggest that gambling acts to fill a need in the lives of unhappy people or that individuals who lack control over their gambling report higher unhappiness. Further research is needed to discover this relationship.


2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 299-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pinhas N. Dannon ◽  
Katherine Lowengrub ◽  
Marina Sasson ◽  
Bosmat Shalgi ◽  
Lali Tuson ◽  
...  

AbstractKleptomania and pathological gambling (PG) are currently classified in the DSM IV as impulse control disorders. Impulse control disorders are characterized by an overwhelming temptation to perform an act that is harmful to the person or others. The patient usually feels a sense of tension before committing the act and then experiences pleasure or relief while in the process of performing the act. Kleptomania and PG are often associated with other comorbid psychiatric diagnoses. Forty-four pathological gamblers and 19 kleptomanics were included in this study. All enrolled patients underwent a complete diagnostic psychiatric evaluation and were examined for symptoms of depression and anxiety using the Hamilton depression rating scale and the Hamilton anxiety rating scale, respectively. In addition, the patients completed self-report questionnaires about their demographic status and addictive behavior. The comorbid lifetime diagnoses found at a high prevalence among our kleptomanic patients included 47% with affective disorders (9/19) and 37% with anxiety disorders (7/19). The comorbid lifetime diagnoses found at a high prevalence in our sample of pathological gamblers included 27% with affective disorders (12/44), 21% with alcohol abuse (9/44), and 7% with a history of substance abuse (3/44). A larger study is needed to confirm these preliminary results.


2001 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-43
Author(s):  
Milene Bertolini ◽  
◽  
Jorge Paschoal ◽  

Adapted swallowing (AS) and its effects on dentofacial balance are frequently observed in children with orofacial myofunctional alterations. The preliminary objective of this research was to identify the frequency of cases of adapted swallowing in a population of school children, and targeting early treatment to prevent morphofunctional alteration of the face and its consequences on dentofacial harmony. One hundred school children between seven and nine years old attending the Children and Adolescents' Supporting Program (PRODECAD) of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) Brazil were selected at random and examined. Orofacial myofunctional assessments were carried out through standardized protocol. Results indicated the prevalence of adapted swallowing associated with resting posture alterations of dentofacial structures and mastication with dentofacial disharmony was 57%. Adapted swallowing without alteration of dentofacial form was observed in 19% of cases, and 24% of cases had a swallowing pattern within normal limits. The high prevalence of alterations suggests the need for early professional intervention.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document