A cross-cultural study of gambling disorder: a comparison between women from Brazil and the United States.
OBJECTIVE
To perform a cross-cultural comparison of gambling disorder (GD) in women from Brazil and the United States, two countries with pronounced social and cultural differences. We hoped to produce insight into the impact of cultural influences on the presentation of GD in women, which may be useful for the development of culturally-sensitive interventions.


METHODS
We assessed 681 women with GD: 406 from a Brazilian sample and 275 from a U.S.


METHODS
We assessed demographic and gambling behavior variables in addition to co-occurring psychiatric disorders.


RESULTS
Fewer Brazilian participants were Caucasian (73.3 vs. 91.3%; p = 0.022). Also, Brazilian women had lower levels of education (59.9% with high school or less vs. 44.4%; p < 0.001), and were more likely to have a current partner (54.9 vs. 43.4%; p = 0.003). Brazilian gamblers also reported lower urge scores (6.6±4.3 vs. 11.6±2.4; p < 0.001) and higher chasing rates (89.1 vs. 80.0%; p = 0.002). Brazilian gamblers reported higher rates of bingo gambling (19.2 vs. 5.7%; p < 0.001), but lower rates of card game gambling (5.8 vs. 23.1%; p < 0.001). Finally, Brazilian gamblers were more likely to endorse a history of major depressive disorder (36.9 vs. 24.4%; p = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study reinforces the need for further general cross-cultural research on GD and particularly for studies investigating how gender mediates these differences. Finally, the differences noted in this analysis suggest that the findings of predominantly Anglo-Saxon cultures may not be generalizable to other world populations.
Departamento de Psiquiatria, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Gustavo C
GC
Medeiros
Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Eric W
EW
Leppink
Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Sarah A
SA
Redden
Departamento de Psiquiatria, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Ana
A
Yaemi
Departamento de Psiquiatria, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Mirella
M
Mariani
Departamento de Psiquiatria, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Hermano
H
Tavares
Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Jon E
JE
Grant
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology