title: Characteristics of pathological gamblers with a problem gambling parent.
abstract: This analysis compares the characteristics of adult pathological gamblers with and without a problem gambling parent. A sample of 517 individuals with current DSM-IV pathological gambling was categorized based on presence of a parental problem gambler. Groups were compared on clinical characteristics, gambling severity, gambling-related problems, and psychiatric comorbidity. Although the groups were similar on most measures, pathological gamblers with at least one problem gambling parent were more likely to have a father with an alcohol abuse/dependence problem; have financial and legal problems; and report daily nicotine use. Females with a problem gambling parent had significantly earlier onset of gambling behavior, were significantly more likely to have a father with an alcohol use disorder, and were significantly more likely to have financial problems secondary to gambling than females without a problem gambling parent. Males with a problem gambling parent were significantly more likely to have a father with an alcohol use disorder and have legal problems secondary to gambling compared to males without a problem gambling parent. Treatment approaches may need to be tailored for specific problems secondary to gambling and gender issues based on the history of having a problem gambling parent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454, USA.
authors.forename: Liana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Odlaug
authors.forename: Suck Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jon E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Grant
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult