Gender Differences in Treatment-Seeking British Pathological Gamblers

Abstract

Background and aimGambling 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsMales 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.ConclusionsOur 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.

Gender differences in mental health and substance use disorders and related healthcare services utilization

“…This study also found that the median age in females seeking care for pathological gambling and co‐occurring conditions was significantly greater than in males. This study finding concurs with prior research that found that while onset of pathological gambling occurs later in life in females compared to males they developed gambling disorders faster than males …”

“…Male gender was identified as a risk factor for alcohol dependence in pathological gamblers . This study found that a significantly greater proportion of males than females had an alcohol dependence syndrome disorder and a greater number of episodes of care in males compared to their counterparts without the condition, suggesting that alcohol dependence syndrome might be a gender‐specific risk factor to consider for screening and implementing effective disordered gambling prevention strategies.…”

“…Conversely, other studies did not find a significant association between gender and the risk of developing a pathological gambling behavior . In addition, prevalence rates of co‐occurring anxiety and episodic mood disorders were greater in problem or pathological gambling females than males …”

Psychometric Properties of the Italian Versions of the Gambling Urge Scale (GUS) and the Gambling Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (GRSEQ)

“…Gender differences found in the two scales deserve further discussion. In fact, such differences confirm what found in previous studies (Casey et al 2008;Dunsmuir et al 2018;Raylu and Oei 2004b;Ronzitti et al 2016;Smith et al 2015a), namely that males tend to score higher than females at the GUS, and females tend to score higher than males at the GRSEQ. These results seem to support evidence that male adults are more likely to develop and maintain problem gambling behavior than female adults, possibly due to higher risk-taking and social anxiety, as discussed in recent literature (Wong et al 2016).…”

“…Gender differences are known in the literature, with males usually presenting higher levels of gambling-related cognitions and behaviors than females (Ronzitti et al 2016). McNeilly and Burke (2001) hypothesized that those differences may be due to the fact that males tend to be more affected by social anxiety than females, ultimately determining an increase in attractivity of gambling-related activities.…”