Gambling problems in treatment for affective disorders: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).
Gambling problems co-occur frequently with other psychiatric difficulties and may complicate treatment for affective disorders. This study evaluated the prevalence and correlates of gambling problems in a U. S. representative sample reporting treatment for mood problems or anxiety.



n=3007 respondents indicating past-year treatment for affective disorders were derived from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Weighted prevalence estimates were produced and regression analyses examined correlates of gambling problems.



Rates of lifetime and past-year problem gambling (3+DSM-IV symptoms) were 3.1% (95% CI=2.4-4.0%) and 1.4% (95% CI=0.9-2.1%), respectively, in treatment for any disorder. Rates of lifetime problem gambling ranged from 3.1% (95% CI=2.3-4.3%) for depression to 5.4% (95% CI=3.2-9.0%) for social phobia. Past-year conditions ranged from 0.9% (95% CI=0.4-2.1%) in dysthymia to 2.4% (95% CI=1.1-5.3%) in social phobia. Higher levels were observed when considering a spectrum of severity (including 'at-risk' gambling), with 8.9% (95% CI=7.7-10.2%) of respondents indicating a history of any gambling problems (1+ DSM-IV symptoms). Lifetime gambling problems predicted interpersonal problems and financial difficulties, and marijuana use, but not alcohol use, mental or physical health, and healthcare utilisation.



Data were collected in 2001-02 and were cross-sectional.



Gambling problems occur at non-trivial rates in treatment for affective disorders and have mainly psychosocial implications. The findings indicate scope for initiatives to identify and respond to gambling problems across a continuum of severity in treatment for affective disorders.
School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, United Kingdom; Centre for Gambling Research, College of Arts and Social Sciences, School of Sociology, the Australian National University (ANU), Australia. Electronic address: sean.cowlishaw@bristol.ac.uk.
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Cowlishaw
U.S. Census Bureau, Suitland, MS, USA.
J K
JK
Hakes
School of Psychology, Deakin University, Australia; Centre for Gambling Research, College of Arts and Social Sciences, School of Sociology, the Australian National University (ANU), Australia; Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia.
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NA
Dowling
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
Affective disorders; Anxiety disorders; Comorbidity; Population sample; Problem gambling; Treatment-seeking