Over the past several decades there has been a significant increase in the availability of legalized gambling in the developed countries. Most people gamble without developing pathological gambling. However, pathological gambling (PG), which is defined in the DSM-IV-TR (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) as “a persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior that disrupts personal, family or vocational pursuits”, has sharply increased in most western countries as a result of the expansion of the gambling industries (Dowling, Smith, & Thomas, Reference Dowling, Smith and Thomas2007). It is generally estimated that between 2% and 5% of the adult population in representative community samples are problem or pathological gamblers (Volberg, Reference Volberg, Smith, Hodgins and Williams2007).
Apart from the role played by cognitive distortions about gambling (Labrador & Mañoso, Reference Labrador and Mañoso2005; Meyer de Stadelhofen, Aufrère, & Rossier, 2009), personality studies have described high levels of sensation seeking and impulsivity and low levels of self-esteem among pathological gamblers, even when compared with other clinical groups or healthy controls (Echeburúa & Fernández-Montalvo, 2008; Fernández-Montalvo & Echeburúa, 2004). Actually the role played by impulsivity in the development of pathological gambling has been stressed by other studies (Blaszczynski, Steel, & McConaghy, Reference Blaszczynski, Steel and McConaghy1997; Steel & Blaszczynski, Reference Steel, Blaszczynski, Marotta, Cornelius and Eadington2002). And some specific personality traits have been found to be gender specific (most of all, harm avoidance in female pathological gamblers) (Granero et al., Reference Granero, Penelo, Martínez-Giménez, Álvarez-Moya, Gómez-Peña, Aymamí and Jiménez-Murcia2009).
High rates of psychiatric history, psychopathological symptoms, such as negative emotional states (especially depression and anxiety) or alcohol/drug abuse, have been found in pathological gamblers as compared to controls (Desai, Maciejewski, Pantalon, & Potenza, Reference Desai, Maciejewski, Pantalon and Potenza2006; Desai & Potenza, Reference Desai and Potenza2008; Ibáñez et al., 2001; Kaare, Mõttus, & Konstabel, Reference Kaare, Mõttus and Konstabel2009). Psychiatric comorbidity is the rule, not the exception, for persons with PG. While the precise mechanism behind these observations is unclear, there are several possible explanations. Gambling may be a way to cope with primary depressive symptoms in pathological gamblers, as it has been found in several studies (Granero et al., Reference Granero, Penelo, Martínez-Giménez, Álvarez-Moya, Gómez-Peña, Aymamí and Jiménez-Murcia2009; Ledgerwood & Petry, Reference Ledgerwood and Petry2006), but depression may be also secondary to negative consequences of PG. Clinicians who assess and treat these individuals would benefit from understanding the scope and direction of these associations (Echeburúa, Fernández-Montalvo, & Báez, Reference Echeburúa, Fernández-Montalvo and Báez2001).
Historically, gambling has been a predominantly male pastime; however, as legalised gambling has expanded, female participation has increased and there is evidence that gambling problems have increased among women in recent years. And so it is interesting to consider the relationship between gambling and gender. Men frequently begin gambling early in life, report slow emergence of problems, and seek help well after developing problems; alternativeley, women start gambling later in life, then rapidly develop a problem and seek help more quickly (Blanco, Hasin, Petry, Stinson, & Grant, Reference Blanco, Hasin, Petry, Stinson and Grant2006; LaPlante, Nelson, Labrie, & Shaffer, Reference LaPlante, Nelson, LaBrie and Shaffer2006).
In turn, the extant literature on the link between gambling and intimate partner violence (IPV) is limited. IPV histories are common among pathological gamblers (Affi, Bronridge, MacMillan, & Sareen, Reference Affi, Bronridge, MacMillan and Sareen2010; Liao, Reference Liao2008; Korman et al., Reference Korman, Collins, Dutton, Dhayananthan, Littman-Sharp and Skinner2008). For example, the odds of exposure to IPV were extremely elevated among women presenting themselves to an emergency department (odds ratio = 10.5; 95%; CI = 1.3–82) if the woman’s partner was a problem gambler (Muelleman, Denotter, Wadman, Tran, & Anderson, Reference Muelleman, Denotter, Wadman, Tran and Anderson2002). However, there are limited data about the female gamblers who report being victims of IPV when compared to women in general population (Echeburúa, González-Ortega, Corral, & Polo-López, Reference Echeburúa, González-Ortega, Corral and Polo-López2011).
The purpose of the current ex post facto study was to identify personality traits, emotional states and adjustment variables in a sample of pathological gamblers as compared to a non-gambling control group taking gender differences into account. Actually current literature on this topic needs to be updated. According to the aim of this study, we hypothesized that there would be significant differences between pathological gamblers and the control group with respect to sociodemographic, personality and psychopathological variables. The pathological gamblers, when compared to the control group, would have higher scores on trait anxiety, sensation seeking, impulsivity and lower scores in self-esteem. Likewise the pathological gamblers would have higher levels of anxiety and depression and would be with a poorer adjustment to daily life than the control group. Gamblers would also have a higher alcohol abuse than the control group (González-Ortega, Echeburúa, Corral, Polo-López, & Alberich, Reference González-Ortega, Echeburúa, Corral, Polo-López and Alberich2013).
Method
Participants
The sample for this study consisted of 206 subjects (103 pathological gamblers and 103 non-psychiatric subjects from general population). All study participants provided voluntary written informed consent.
Pathological gamblers included 103 consecutively referred adult outpatients (51 women and 52 men) meeting current DSM-IV-TR criteria for PG involved in slot machines and/or in bingo. Subjects were recruited over a 5-year period (2005–2009). All of them sought treatment in different Units of Pathological Gambling all over Spain because of their problems and impairment related to PG. Most of the pathological gamblers (75 subjects) were enrolled in the Asociación de Ayuda a Ludópatas Ekintza-Dasalud (Rentería, Guipúzcoa). The Units of Pathological Gambling that participated in the sample recruitment are pointed out in the paragraph of acknowledgements.
All patients were included if they met the inclusion criteria: a) primary diagnosis of current DSM-IV-TR PG; b) age 18 or older. The only exclusion criterion was the presence of a psychotic disorder, mental retardation, dementia or inability to understand and consent to the study. There were not any excluded patients.
The non-psychiatric control group (51 women and 52 men) were similar people, but without a history of PG or any other mental disorder, selected among the normal population and matched up in age and sex with the clinical group. Subjects were found among office workers (n = 60) and in a canning factory (n = 43) who were asked to collaborate in research and were encouraged to do so by offering them feedback on their personality test results. In short, the mean age for both groups was 43.25 years (SD = 13.6).
Measures
The proposed measures were chosen based on the following criteria: have been used in previous studies on the subject, have good psychometric properties and have been adapted to Spanish.
Personality traits
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Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T) (Spielberger, Gorsuch, & Lushene, Reference Spielberger, Gorsuch and Lushene1970; Spanish version of TEA, 1982). The STAI-T consists of 20 items related to anxiety-trait. The range of scores is from 0 to 60. The internal consistency of the STAI in this study was .85.
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Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-10) (Barratt, Reference Barratt, Monahan and Steadman1994; Spanish version of Oquendo et al., Reference Oquendo, Baca-García, Graver, Morales, Montalbán and Mann2001). The BIS-10 consists of 33 items aimed at assessing the impulsivity (range: 0–132). The internal consistency of the BIS in this study was .78.
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Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSS-V) (Zuckerman, Eysenck, & Eysenck, Reference Zuckerman, Eysenck and Eysenck1978). The SSS-V consists of 40 items aimed at determining the level of sensation seeking disposition. The range of scores is from 0 to 40. The internal consistency of the SSS in this study was .81.
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Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) (Rosenberg, Reference Rosenberg1965; Spanish version by Fernández-Montalvo & Echeburúa, 1997). The aim of the RSE is to assess the feeling of satisfaction that a person has about him or herself. There are 10 general items, each one carrying a score between 1 and 4 on a Likert-type scale, giving a questionnaire range from 10 to 40. The internal consistency of the RSE in this study was .76.
Psychopathological factors
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State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) (Spielberger et al., Reference Spielberger, Gorsuch and Lushene1970; Spanish version of TEA, 1982). The STAI-S consists of 20 items related to the anxiety-state. The range of scores is from 0 to 60. The internal consistency of the STAI in this study was .85.
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Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (Beck, Steer, & Brown, Reference Beck, Steer and Brown1996; Spanish version of Sanz, Vázquez, & Navarro, Reference Sanz, Vázquez and Navarro2003). The BDI consists of 21 items and measures the severity of symptoms of depression (range: 0–63). The internal consistency of the BDI in this study was .89.
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Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) (Saunders, Aasland, Babor, de la Fuente, & Grant, Reference Saunders, Aasland, Babor, de la Fuente and Grant1993; Spanish version of Rubio, Bermejo, Caballero, & Santo Domingo, Reference Rubio, Bermejo, Caballero and Santo Domingo1998). The AUDIT was designed by the World Health Organization to screen and identify people who are at risk of developing alcohol problems. This test focuses on identifying the preliminary signs of hazardous drinking and mild dependence. It consists of only 10 questions referred to the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption, to the drink behavior and to the reactions or problems related to alcohol within the last year (range: 0–36). The internal consistency of the AUDIT in this study was .79.
Adjustment variables
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Misadjustment Scale (IS) (Echeburúa, Corral, & Fernández-Montalvo, Reference Echeburúa, Corral and Fernández-Montalvo2000). The IS reflects the extent to which the subject’s gambling problems affect to the maladjustment in everyday life: social, work, leisure, couple and family (range: 0–30). The internal consistency of the IS in this study was .83.
Intimate partner violence (IPV)
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Intimate partner violence was assessed using several indicators of violence taken from the items of the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2) (Straus, Hamby, Boney-McCoy, & Sugarman, Reference Straus, Hamby, Boney-McCoy and Sugarman1996; Spanish version of Calvete, Corral, & Estévez, Reference Calvete, Corral and Estévez2007) referred to the scales of physical assault, psychological aggression and sexual coercion. The internal consistency of the CTS in this study was .85.
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These measures, validated in Spanish samples, have been extensively used in research and clinical practice, and there is substantial evidence to support their psychometric properties in the field of PG (Dowling et al., Reference Dowling, Smith and Thomas2007; Echeburúa & Fernández-Montalvo, 2008; Fernández-Montalvo & Echeburúa, 2004; Granero et al., Reference Granero, Penelo, Martínez-Giménez, Álvarez-Moya, Gómez-Peña, Aymamí and Jiménez-Murcia2009).
Procedure
For subjects entering this study, informed consent was obtained after they had been given a detailed written and verbal description of the study. DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria were screened by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for Pathological Gambling (SCI-PG) (Grant, Steinberg, Kim, Rounsaville, & Potenza, Reference Grant, Steinberg, Kim, Rounsaville and Potenza2004). The presence/absence of other psychiatric disorders (Axis I) was determined using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) (First, Spitzer, Gibbon, & Williams, Reference First, Spitzer, Gibbon and Williams1997). These interviews were carried out independently by two experienced clinical psychologists. The data on interrater reliability obtained with these interviews in this study were satisfactory (kappa = .91 and kappa = .88 respectively).
Participants were assessed individually using a semistructured face-to-face interview that focused on different aspects of demographic characteristics. The subjects then individually filled in all the questionnaires included in the study during two assessment sessions.
The study was approved by the University Ethics Committee and by the Ethics Committees of the different Hospitals involved in this research.
Data analysis
Differences between the two groups were tested for significance with Pearson’s chi-square test for dichotomous variables and t-tests for quantitative psychological features. Non-parametric alternative to the t-test (Mann-Whitney U) was used when there was reason to believe that data were not normally distributed. Effect sizes based on Cohen’s d (1988) and Chuprov´s T 2 estimated the clinical differences. The results were interpreted as small if d/T 2 values ranged between .2 and .49, medium if d/T 2 values ranged between .5 and .79, and large if d/T 2 values were higher than .8.A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between sociodemographic, personality and psychopathological variables with pathological gambling. All independent variables that were found to be significant in the analysis for comparison of means between two groups (gamblers/control group) were included in the regression analysis. Gender variable was introduced in the model in order to determine its influence in the relationship between the dependent variable (being a pathological gambler or not) and the independent variables. Logistic regression analyses were also performed separately for men and women.
The paragraphs below present first the results of both groups comparisons on sociodemographic characteristics. These are followed by the differences in personality and psychopathological variables. A gender comparison between pathological gamblers and the non-psychiatric control group (male gamblers versus male non-gamblers and female gamblers versus female non-gamblers) is taken into account in all measures. Results of the specific differences for men/women with PG in the studied variables have been published in a separate paper (Echeburúa et al., Reference Echeburúa, González-Ortega, Corral and Polo-López2011). Finally, the rates of intimate partner violence are compared between women gamblers and the control group women.
Results
Sociodemographic characteristics
The main demographics regarding differences between the two groups are displayed in Table 1. Overall, there were no differences between the two groups, except in the educational level and in the family history of alcohol abuse: pathological gamblers had a lower educational level and a family history of alcohol abuse higher than the control group subjects.However, when gender was taken into account, there were some additional significant differences in employment status and in socioeconomic level. Women pathological gamblers had a higher levels of unemployment, χ2(3) = 9.32, p < .05, and a lower socioeconomic status, χ2(4) = 13.098, than women in the control group.
Table 1. Socio-demographic characteristics
Note:
p < .05* p < .01** p < .001***
Personality, psychopathology and adjustment variables
As far as personality and psychopathological factors are concerned, the main differences between the two groups are examined in Table 2. Overall, pathological gamblers were more anxious and impulsive and suffered from a poorer self-esteem than subjects from the non-psychiatric control group. There were no gender-related differences in these variables.
Table 2. Personality traits and psychopathological factors
Note:
p < .05* p < .01** p < .001***z1: U Mann-Whitney statistical (non-parametric tests)
Regarding psychiatric history, pathological gamblers had a greater history of several other Axis I psychiatric disorders (50.5%) than subjects from the non-psychiatric control group (13.6%), χ2(1) = 32.193, p < .001. Anxiety and mood disorders and substance abuse were the most frequent disorders. Males and females did not differ significantly regarding this variable.
In our study pathological gamblers were more often affected by anxiety and depression symptoms and showed a more problematic adaptation to everyday life than subjects from the control group. There were no gender-related differences in these variables.
In turn, alcohol abuse in pathological gamblers was not consistently higher than in normal subjects. However, when gender was taken into account, male gamblers (M = 6.09; SD = 4.52) were more affected by alcohol abuse than men in the control group (M = 3.78; SD = 3.22), t = −2.833; p < .01. However, female gamblers (M = 3.27; SD = 6.22) and female in control group (M = 2.16; SD = 2.10) did not differ significantly, t = −.433, ns, regarding this variable.
Relationship between sociodemographic, personality and psychopathological variables with pathological gambling taking gender into account
A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between pathological gambling and the sociodemographic, personality and psychopathological variables found to be statistically significant in the previous analysis for comparison of means. Gender (being male), the educational level (uneducated or primary school), the trait of impulsivity, the misadjustment to everyday life and the depressive symptoms were associated with the group of pathological gamblers (Table 3).
Table 3. Multivariate logistic regression between pathological gambling and sociodemographic, personality and psychopathological variables
Finally, logistic regression analyses were performed separately for men and women taking into account the significant effect of the variable “gender” in the regression analysis for the overall sample. In the case of men, the trait of impulsivity, β = −.201, p = .003, and the depressive symptoms, β = −.244, p = .002, were associated with pathological gambling, while for women a low educational level,β = −4,588, p < .01, the depressive symptoms, β = −.123, p < .05, and the misadjustment to everyday life, β = −.210, p = .005, were related to the group of women gamblers.
Intimate partner violence (IPV)
Importantly, 68.6% of the female gamblers versus 9.8% of control group women reported being victims of intimate partner violence now or in the recent past (Table 4).
Table 4. Women of both groups suffering from intimate partner violence
Note:
p < .001***
Discussion
This study aimed to identify personality traits, emotional states and adjustment variables in a sample of pathological gamblers taking gender differences into account as compared to a non-gambling control group. That is, the study was also designed to explore gender as a critical factor for pathological gambling. The findings indicate that there were relevant differences which may be considered to plan an effective intervention regarding prevention and treatment.
Our first finding related to demographics was that, according to other studies (Ibáñez et al., Reference Ibáñez, Blanco, Donahue, Lesieur, Pérez de Castro and Fernández-Piqueras2001; Kaare et al., Reference Kaare, Mõttus and Konstabel2009), pathological gamblers had a lower educational level and a family history of alcohol abuse higher than non-gamblers. This fact may partially account for a higher gambling involvement. In terms of gender differences, female gamblers were affected by unemployment and a lower socioeconomic status more often than female non-gamblers. These differences, probably related to traditional gender roles, have also been partially found in other studies (Desai et al., Reference Desai, Maciejewski, Pantalon and Potenza2006; Granero et al., Reference Granero, Penelo, Martínez-Giménez, Álvarez-Moya, Gómez-Peña, Aymamí and Jiménez-Murcia2009).
There were significant differences in personality traits between the two groups. Overall, pathological gamblers were more anxious and impulsive and suffered from a poorer self-esteem than non-gamblers (Echeburúa et al., Reference Echeburúa, Fernández-Montalvo and Báez2001). Further research is needed to know if people with these personality traits are more vulnerable to gambling. These results are partially consistent with previous studies (Blaszczynski et al., Reference Blaszczynski, Steel and McConaghy1997; Echeburúa & Fernández-Montalvo, 2008; Fernández-Montalvo & Echeburúa, 2004; Kaare et al., Reference Kaare, Mõttus and Konstabel2009). In other studies the studied personality traits were not exactly the same (Granero et al., Reference Granero, Penelo, Martínez-Giménez, Álvarez-Moya, Gómez-Peña, Aymamí and Jiménez-Murcia2009). One interesting finding of our study is the lack of significant differences between the two groups in terms of mean sensation-seeking scores. Although high levels of sensation seeking have been described among pathological gamblers (e.g. Blaszczynski et al., Reference Blaszczynski, Steel and McConaghy1997; Echeburúa & Fernández-Montalvo, 2008; Fernández-Montalvo & Echeburúa, 2004), it is possible that other personality traits, such as impulsivity, may play a major role in the development and maintenance of PG. This finding is important to take it into consideration both for prevention and even for treatment strategies. Psychological treatment of PG should include some components focused on the reduction of impulsivity.
Regarding psychopathology, gamblers were found to have a greater history of other Axis I psychiatric disorders (most of all, anxiety and mood disorders and substance abuse) than non-gamblers. Currently gamblers reported more negative emotional estates (anxiety and depression symptoms) and a more problematic adaptation to everyday life than non-gamblers. One possibility is that gambling can be used for regulating negative emotional states associated with life events. Psychiatric comorbidity for persons with PG has also been found in other studies (Ibáñez et al., Reference Ibáñez, Blanco, Donahue, Lesieur, Pérez de Castro and Fernández-Piqueras2001; Kaare et al., Reference Kaare, Mõttus and Konstabel2009; Petry, Stinson, & Grant, Reference Petry, Stinson and Grant2005).There were no gender-differences in these variables. Anyway these findings suggest that treatment for PG should involve assessment and possible concomitant treatment for comorbid conditions.
In terms of alcohol abuse, surprinsingly there were no differences in this variable between the two groups. However, when gender was taken into account, male gamblers were more affected by alcohol abuse than male non-gamblers. Alcohol can be used as a strategy to cope with emotional trouble in men (Blanco et al., Reference Blanco, Hasin, Petry, Stinson and Grant2006). These results are partially consistent with previous studies (Granero et al., Reference Granero, Penelo, Martínez-Giménez, Álvarez-Moya, Gómez-Peña, Aymamí and Jiménez-Murcia2009; Ibáñez et al., Reference Ibáñez, Blanco, Donahue, Lesieur, Pérez de Castro and Fernández-Piqueras2001; Petry et al., Reference Petry, Stinson and Grant2005). Treatment for PG should always pay attention to other comorbid addictions.
According to the multivariate logistic regression in our study, the gender (being male), a low educational level, the trait of impulsivity, the misadjustment to everyday life and the depressive symptoms were related to PG. In terms of gender differences, the trait of impulsivity and the depressive symptoms were associated with men pathological gamblers, while a low educational level, the depressive symptoms and the misadjustment to everyday life were associated with women gamblers. These findings reflect that certain sociodemographic, personality and clinical characteristics may predispose to the development of PG. In addition, the role played by the gender factor in PG suggests that certain features are specific to men and women and that there is a differential psychopathological profile of men and women gamblers (Echeburúa et al., Reference Echeburúa, González-Ortega, Corral and Polo-López2011), which should be taken into consideration both for prevention and for treatment strategies.
Importantly, nearly seven out of every ten female gamblers reported being victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) (including dating and marital violence). This rate is seven times higher than that registered in Spain for women over 18 years (Echeburúa, Sarasua, Zubizarreta, & Corral, Reference Echeburúa, Sarasua, Zubizarreta and Corral2009; Echeburúa, Sarasua, Zubizarreta, Amor, & Corral, Reference Echeburúa, Sarasua, Zubizarreta, Amor and Corral2010; Instituto de la Mujer, 2006). These results have been also found in other studies elsewhere with a nationally representative sample (Affi et al., Reference Affi, Bronridge, MacMillan and Sareen2010). There are different kinds of explanation that can take account of this result. That is, gambling may be a way to escape from a violent relationship, but IPV may be also related to domestic conflict caused or exacerbated by financial or other stressors directly associated with gambling activities. Little attention has been given to prevention of gambling problems as a factor in reducing IPV. All these findings highlight the importance of routinely screening gambling patients for anger and IPV and disrupted behavior in children, and the need to develop public policy, prevention and treatment programs to address these problems (Echeburúa, Corral, & Amor, Reference Echeburúa, Corral and Amor2002; Liao, Reference Liao2008; Picó-Alfonso, Echeburúa, & Martínez, Reference Picó-Alfonso, Echeburúa and Martínez2008).
This study has both theoretical and applied implications. The accurate understanding of personality and clinical characteristics in pathological gamblers could help to guide further research regarding prevention and treatment decisions according to the patient’s emotional states/patterns (Echeburúa & Fernández-Montalvo, 2005; Echeburúa et al., Reference Echeburúa, González-Ortega, Corral and Polo-López2011).
The limitations of the current research should be considered when interpretating the study findings. First, the relatively small sample size precludes a definitive conclusion regarding differences between the two groups. Methodologically it is important to keep in mind that treatment seekers might not be representative of gamblers in general population. Since a treatment-seeking sample was used, it is unclear how generalizable our results are to non-treatment seeking individuals with PG. Additional research on this topic is needed, including larger prevalence studies both in clinical settings and using nationally representative data. Second, a more complete assessment of mental symptoms and comorbid disorders, including Axis II disorders, needs to be dealth with in future research. Third, the data used in the current research were cross-sectional, which means that inferences regarding causation cannot be made. Longitudinal designs are required to address the role of comorbid disorders on course and outcome, illness progression, and treatment. Finally, the self-reported nature of the data can lead to recall bias. Anyway, endogenous and exogenous conditions need to be explored in future research as being gender-related operating factors.
