Looking at Sex Differences in Gambling Disorder: The Predictive Role of the Early Abandonment Schema, Gambling Motives and Alexithymia in Depression

Abstract

A growing body of research indicates differences between men and women with gambling disorder. However, although alexithymia, gambling motives or abandonment have been associated with GD, women’s clinical profile remains unexplored. This study aims, firstly, to explore mean differences in gambling motives (i.e. enhancement, coping and social [SOC]), the early maladaptive abandonment schema, alexithymia and depression in women and men with GD. Secondly, to analyse the correlation between the aforementioned variables as a function of sex. Thirdly, to examine the predictive role of gambling motives, early abandonment schema and alexithymia in depression as a function of sex. Lastly, to analyse the mediating role of COP between the early maladaptive abandonment schema and depression in women with GD, and the mediating role of ENH and the early maladaptive abandonment schema between alexithymia and depression in men with GD. The sample comprised 108 adults with GD diagnosis, of whom 60 were women and 48 were men. Regression and mediation analyses were carried out to explore possible sex differences in GD, through the SPSS programme. Results showed that depressive symptoms are predicted by alexithymia in men with GD and by the early maladaptive abandonment schema in women with GD. Regarding mediation analyses, the results suggest that COP mediated the relationship between early abandonment schema and depressive symptoms in females; and ENH and abandonment schema mediated the relationship between alexithymia and depressive symptoms in males. These results provide evidence of the relevance of considering sex differences when establishing therapeutic strategies in GD rehabilitation.

Exploring the psychosocial characteristics of women with gambling disorder through a qualitative study

“…In this sense, gambling could become a tool to deal with loneliness and manage emotions. The study participants’ accounts reinforce previous studies of female gamblers, which state that gambling becomes a maladaptive way of managing negative emotions or childhood experiences of neglect, trauma and/or abuse ( Poole et al, 2017 , 2018 ; Lelonek-Kuleta, 2022 ; Estévez et al, 2023 ).…”

“…By contrast, women do not gamble as much for these reasons or social reasons but as a maladaptive mechanism to escape from problems or improve their mood ( Granero et al, 2018 ; Macía et al, 2022 ). Women use gambling to cope with personal issues such as loneliness, boredom, and dysphoria, so emotional distress could be a factor that maintains maladaptive gambling behavior ( Ciccarelli et al, 2017 ; Poole et al, 2018 ; Estévez et al, 2023 ). These findings could be related to female gamblers’ increased depressive and anxious symptoms and poorer emotion regulation ( Ronzitti et al, 2016 ).…”