title: Gender Differences in Treatment-Seeking British Pathological Gamblers.
abstract: Background and aim Gambling is a widespread recreational activity in the UK. A significant percentage of gamblers develop subclinical or clinically relevant problem gambling issues, but only a low percentage of them seek treatment. Although characteristics of pathological gamblers from treatment-seeking population have been examined in some research, only a few studies have explored the differences between females and males. This study aimed to examine the gender-related differences in demographics, gambling measures, and clinical variables in an outpatient sample of pathological gamblers seeking treatment. Methods A total of 1,178 treatment-seeking individuals with gambling disorder were assessed at the National Problem Gambling Clinic in London. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical variables, and gambling behavior habits were obtained during the assessment evaluation. Of the total sample, 92.5% were males and 7.5% were females. Results Males were more likely to be younger, white, and employed than females. In addition, compared to women, men showed a lower PGSI score, an earlier age of onset of gambling behavior, a higher gambling involvement, and preferred specific forms gambling. Female gamblers were more anxious and depressed, while men were more likely to use alcohol and illicit drugs. Conclusions Our findings support the importance of gender differences in a treatment-seeking population of pathological gamblers both in sociodemographic characteristics, gambling behavior variables, and clinical variables. Males and females might benefit from group-specific treatment.
authors.affiliation: NPGC, National Problem Gambling Clinic, Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust , London, United Kingdom.|Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca , Monza, Italy.|Department of Mental Health, San Gerardo Hospital , Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ronzitti
authors.affiliation: NPGC, National Problem Gambling Clinic, Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust , London, United Kingdom.|Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca , Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lutri
authors.affiliation: NPGC, National Problem Gambling Clinic, Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust , London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: NPGC, National Problem Gambling Clinic, Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust , London, United Kingdom.|Department of Mental Health, San Gerardo Hospital , Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clerici
authors.affiliation: NPGC, National Problem Gambling Clinic, Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust , London, United Kingdom.|Department of Medicine, Imperial College London , London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Henrietta
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bowden-Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D016015:Logistic Models; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: gambling disorder; gender differences; pathological gambling; treatment seeking