Temperament and character in pathological gambling.
OBJECTIVE
We have studied temperament and character in pathological gambling (PG).


METHODS
Thirty-eight DSM-IV verified pathological gamblers (31 males and 7 females; mean age 35.4 +/- 10.4 years) were tested with Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Matched controls were chosen from the normal population.


RESULTS
Pathological gamblers scored higher on the temperament factors novelty seeking (NS) and harm avoidance (HA). The most pronounced difference was found in the character factor self-directedness (SD). The pathological gamblers differed from controls in cooperativeness and self-transcendence. A personality disorder was found in 29% of the pathological gamblers 84% of whom scored either low on SD and high on impulsivity or had a more dishonest behaviour. Two-thirds of pathological gamblers showed immature character with or without high HA in temperament. The other third showed normal-character extravagant behaviour (86%), high impulsivity (36%) and less responsibility (50%) being the most common personality traits.


CONCLUSIONS
HA and NS might be trait-like characteristics in PG.
Nordin
Conny
C
Department of Neuroscience and Locomotion, Psychiatry Section, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Linköping, SE-581 85, Linköping, Sweden. conny.nordin@inr.liu.se
Nylander
Per-Olof
PO
D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D002605:Character; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D013694:Temperament