title: Relationship between pathological gambling, alexithymia, and gambling type.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to see if: (i) alexithymia is associated with PG and with the severity of gambling behavior; (ii) alexithymia is associated with strategic and non-strategic gambling.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and twenty-six gamblers were recruited in different gambling locations. First, pathological gamblers (PGs) (n = 106) were compared to non-pathological gamblers (NPGs) (n = 120). Second, strategic gamblers (n = 92) were compared to non-strategic gamblers (n = 96).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After controlling for being or not depressed, PGs have significantly higher alexithymia scores. Alexithymia is positively correlated to the intensity of gambling behavior and associated with PG: being alexithymic (OR = 4.21, SEB = .32, p < .001), "difficulty identifying feelings" (OR = 1.07, SEB = .03, p = .038), and "externally-oriented thinking" (OR = 1.07, SEB = .03, p = .026) factors. Nevertheless, while alexithymia is associated with PG in strategic gamblers (being alexithymic (OR = 6.80, SEB = .50 p < .001) and "difficulty identifying feelings" (OR = 1.12, SEB = .05 p = .026) factor), this is not the case in non-strategic gamblers. In the latter, only depression is associated with PG (OR = 3.43, SEB = .50 p = .013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results highlight the importance of taking into account the gambling type in the relationship between alexithymia, depression, and PG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In non-strategic PGs, specific therapies targeting depression could be appropriate, while for strategic PGs, specific psychotherapeutic techniques like body-centered psychotherapy could help them to differentiate feelings from bodily sensations. (Am J Addict 2017;26:152-160).
authors.affiliation: Paris Descartes University, Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Processes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France.
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonnaire
authors.affiliation: François Rabelais de Tours University, Laboratory of Ages of Life Psychology, Tours, France.
authors.forename: Servane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barrault
authors.affiliation: CNRS Unit 3521, Laboratory for the Psychology of Child Development and Education, Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France.
authors.forename: Ania
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aïte
authors.affiliation: CNRS Unit 3521, Laboratory for the Psychology of Child Development and Education, Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France.
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cassotti
authors.affiliation: Paris Descartes University, Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Processes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France.
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moutier
authors.affiliation: Paris Descartes University, Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Processes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Varescon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005715:Gambling / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013850:Thinking