The objective of the present study was to differentiate specific migration-related factors that can account for an increased vulnerability to pathological gambling (PG) among migrants in Germany. One hundred and six gamblers (61 migrants, 45 Germans) with varying degrees of gambling problems participated in the study. We analysed (1) differences between migrants and Germans regarding gambling patterns, severity of gambling problems, motivation and craving; influence of (2) acculturative stress;(3) acceptance and popularity of gambling in the culture of origin on gambling problems; (4) differences between migrants and Germans regarding family gambling and peer gambling; and (5) differences in religiosity and its influence on gambling problems. Results suggest no differences between migrants and Germans regarding gambling patterns and the severity of gambling problems. However, findings indicate that migrants have higher motivation and craving to gamble. Findings further suggest that acculturative stress is associated with more severe gambling problems. In contrast, acceptance and popularity of gambling in the country of origin was not a significant predictor of gambling problems. At the same time, family gambling and peer gambling was significantly more prevalent among migrants, constituting an additional risk factor in the present sample. On the other hand, migrants in the sample benefit more often from a protective influence of religiosity.
Early‐life stress (ELS), such as childhood abuse and neglect is a well‐established risk factor for the development of psychiatric and medical conditions. In the present chapter, we will focus on the biological embedding of maltreatment during development, which is thought to underlie the increased long‐term risk for several disorders. Specifically, we will discuss the effects of ELS on the functioning of the main stress regulatory systems resulting in a persistent dysregulation of stress processing. Further, we will discuss findings that focus on structural and functional changes of brain regions that are involved in the regulation of stress and emotion. Given that some individuals remain resilient despite of significant exposure to ELS, whereas others develop disorders, we next focus on factors that mediate the emergence of interindividual differences in the effects of ELS including the role of sensitive periods, sex, and the individual genotype. Finally, we will discuss more recent insights into the molecular mechanisms of gene regulation by stress that may account for the development of altered stress responsiveness and risk for psychiatric and medical disorders after ELS, including epigenetic programming with long‐term impact on gene expression. We will conclude this chapter by discussing the implications of insights from neurobiological research on the long‐term consequences of ELS for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to prevent or reverse the detrimental long‐term consequences and thereby reduce the manifestation of negative health outcomes in these victims.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.