title: Type of gambling as an independent risk factor for suicidal events in pathological gamblers.
abstract: Individuals with pathological gambling have an increased risk for suicidal events. Additionally, the prevalence of comorbid psychiatric disorders is high among pathological gamblers. This study analyzes whether the type of gambling is associated with suicidal events in pathological gamblers independently from comorbidity. Participants were recruited in 4 different ways: via random telephone sample from the general population, via individual invitation for study participation in gambling locations, through various media and the distribution of a leaflet in various settings, and via inpatient treatment facilities for pathological gambling. The final sample included 442 participants with a lifetime diagnosis of pathological gambling. A standardized clinical interview was conducted. High financial losses were associated with suicidal events (odds ratio [OR] = 1.94, 95% 95% confidence interval [CI], [1.11, 3.37]), as were mood disorders (OR = 7.70, 95% CI, [4.44, 13.37]) and female gender (OR = 2.52, 95% CI, [1.20, 5.28]). Gambling on electronic gambling machines in gambling halls or bars was associated with increased odds of suicidal events (OR = 2.94, 95% CI, [1.38, 6.24]). Other types of gambling, such as casino games or betting on sports, or the number of DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling were not associated independently with suicidal events. Our findings suggest that gambling on electronic gambling machines in gambling halls or bars is associated with suicidal events in pathological gamblers independently of comorbidity. This result shows that the type of gambling needs to be considered as a relevant factor in gambling research.
authors.affiliation: Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group S:TEP (Substance abuse and related disorders: Treatment, Epidemiology, and Prevention), University of Luebeck.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bischof
authors.affiliation: Institute for Social Medicine and Prevention, University Medicine Greifswald.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group S:TEP, University of Luebeck.
authors.forename: Gallus
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bischof
authors.affiliation: Institute for Social Medicine and Prevention, University Medicine Greifswald.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: John
authors.affiliation: Paracelsus Medical University.
authors.forename: Friedrich Martin
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Wurst
authors.affiliation: Paracelsus Medical University.
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thon
authors.affiliation: Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lucht
authors.affiliation: Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald.
authors.forename: Hans-Joergen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Grabe
authors.affiliation: Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group S:TEP, University of Luebeck.
authors.forename: Hans-Juergen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Rumpf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult