Gender differences in pathological gambling.
BACKGROUND
To determine the differences in clinical presentation, gambling behavior, and psychiatric comorbidity of male and female treatment-seeking pathological gamblers.


METHODS
Sixty-nine consecutive individuals with DSM-IV pathological gambling (47 men and 22 women) applying to a specialized out-patient treatment program were evaluated with structured interviews, self-report questionnaires, and psychological scales.


RESULTS
Sixty-seven percent of men (N = 26) versus 25% of women (N = 5) had been exposed to gambling in adolescence. Women had a later age at first bet and a faster evolution of the disorder. Female pathological gamblers were more likely to play bingo, whereas men tended to prefer slot machines. Male and female pathological gamblers had similar gambling severity and overall rates of psychiatric comorbidity. However, male pathological gamblers had higher rates of alcohol abuse/dependence and antisocial personality disorder, whereas women had higher rates of affective disorders and history of physical abuse.


CONCLUSIONS
There are substantial gender differences in the clinical presentation and comorbidity of pathological gambling. These gender differences should be incorporated in the selection and planning of treatment for pathological gamblers.
Ibáñez
Angela
A
Department of Psychiatry, Ramón y Cajal Hospital/Alcalá University, Madrid, Spain. aic@tiscali.es
Blanco
Carlos
C
Moreryra
Paula
P
Sáiz-Ruiz
Jerónimo
J
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires