title: Predictors of pathological gambling severity taking gender differences into account.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current study aims to identify predictors of pathological gambling (PG) severity, taking gender differences into account, in an outpatient sample of pathological gamblers seeking treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample for this study consisted of 103 subjects (51 women and 52 men) meeting current DSM-IV-TR criteria for PG. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to examine different risk factors (gender, age, impulsivity, sensation seeking, self-esteem) and risk markers (depression, anxiety, gambling-related thoughts, substance abuse) as predictors of PG severity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Impulsivity, maladjustment in everyday life and age at gambling onset were the best predictors in the overall sample. When gender differences were taken into account, duration of gambling disorder in women and depression and impulsivity in men predicted PG severity. In turn, a high degree of severity in the South Oaks Gambling Screen score was related to older age and more familiy support in women and to low self-esteem and alcohol abuse in men. Female gamblers were older than male gamblers and started gambling later in life, but became dependent on gambling more quickly than men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research should examine these data to tailor treatment to specific patients' needs according to sex and individual characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Alava University Hospital-Santiago, CIBERSAM, Vitoria, Spain. itxaso.gonzalezortega@osakidetza.net
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: González-Ortega
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Echeburúa
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Corral
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Polo-López
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alberich
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology