title: [Factors influencing problem and pathological gambling in participants of horse race gambling].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine risk factors for pathological gambling of horse race participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants, 508 horse race gamblers, completed the DSM-IV criteria of pathological gambling, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-K) and Symptom Checklist-47-Revision (SCL-47-R). Data were analyzed using t-test, χ²-test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression analyses. Behaviors related to horse racing, alcohol abuse, and mental health were analyzed between problem or pathological gamblers compared to recreational gamblers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence rates of recreational, problem, and pathological gambling were 36.6%, 39.4%, and 24.0%, respectively. Frequency of gambling (≥4/day), frequency of racetrack visiting (≥3/month), accompaniment (alone), and mental health (SCL-47-R scores) were all associated with increased risks of problem and pathological gambling. Expenditure on betting (≥200,000 won/day) and alcohol abuse (AUDIT-K 8-20 scores) group members had higher levels of gambling pathology than recreational gamblers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Problem and pathological gambling are highly associated with alcohol abuse and mental health disorders, suggesting that clinicians should carefully evaluate this population.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Jeju National University, Jeju-si, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi-Yeul
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Hyun
authors.forename: Ok-Hee
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors