Pathological gambling, gender, and risk-taking behaviors.
Seventy-eight female and 78 male pathological gamblers admitted to an outpatient treatment program were compared regarding a profile of risk-taking behaviors (suicide attempts, illegal activities meant to finance gambling, sexual risky behavior, and alcohol abuse). The Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 (BIS-11), and an adaptation of the HIV Risk Behavior Scale were used. Females attempted more suicide than males. Men had more sexual risky behavior and alcohol abuse than women. Younger age and depression were risk factors for suicide attempts, younger age and impulsivity were risk factors for illegal activities. Younger age was a risk factor for sexual risky behavior, and no risk factor other than male gender was found for alcohol abuse. Future investigation of risk behaviors among gamblers must take into account the differences in gender and age. Both impulsivity and emotional distress are related to risk-taking in gamblers, and young gamblers who early in life display other potentially harmful behaviors require special attention.
Martins
Silvia Saboia
SS
Department and Institute of Psychiatry-LIM-23, Instituto de Psiquiatria do Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo Medical School, R. Dr. Ovidio Pires de Campos, s/n, Cerqueira César, SP 05403-010, Brazil. smartins@jhsph.edu
Tavares
Hermano
H
da Silva Lobo
Daniela Sabbatini
DS
Galetti
Ana Maria
AM
Gentil
Valentim
V
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology