Marital status and gambling disorder: a longitudinal study based on national registry data

Abstract

Background Marital status is a robust correlate of disordered gambling, but few studies have examined the direction of this association. Methods The present study used a case–control design by including all adults receiving their first gambling disorder (GD) diagnosis between January 2008 to December 2018 (Norwegian Patient Registry, n = 5,121) and compared them against age and gender matched individuals with other somatic/psychiatric illnesses (Norwegian Patient Registry, n = 27,826) and a random sample from the general population (FD-Trygd database, n = 26,695). The study examined marital status before GD, getting divorced as a risk factor for future GD, and becoming married as a protective factor of future GD. Results The findings indicated an 8–9 percentage points higher prevalence of unmarried people and about a 5 percentage points higher prevalence of separation/divorce among those that subsequently experienced GD compared to controls. Logistic regressions showed that transition through divorce was associated with higher odds of future GD compared to illness controls (odds ratio [OR] = 2.45, 95% CI [2.06, 2.92]) and the general population (OR = 2.41 [2.02, 2.87]). Logistic regressions also showed that transition through marriage was associated with lower odds of future GD compared to illness controls (OR = 0.62, CI [0.55, 0.70]) and the general population (OR = 0.57, CI [0.50, 0.64]). Conclusions Social bonds have previously been shown to impact physical and mental health, and the findings of the study emphasize the importance of considering social network history and previous relationship dissolution among individuals with GD.

Factors influencing treatment outcomes in a randomised clinical trial for gambling disorder

“…Our results are more consistent with recent studies, which have shown that the gender difference in gambling may be narrowing (41,42). Marital status and living with other people were associated with higher quality of life and can be seen as a protective factor for GD (43). The results suggest that although sociodemographic factors are associated with gambling and gambling severity, their effect on treatment outcomes may be inconsistent.…”

Income and gambling disorder: A longitudinal matched case-control study with registry data from Norway

“…Other important factors not included in the model may have helped in further understanding characteristics that differentiate between trajectory group membership. For example, potential individual characteristics such as marital or immigration status, in addition to area-level characteristics including socioeconomic deprivation, rural-urban dwelling, and accessibility of gambling opportunities have been associated with GD ( Allami et al, 2021 ; Hahmann et al, 2021 ; Syvertsen et al, 2023 ) and may further help to differentiate group membership, particularly related to the highest versus lowest income groups. The prevalence of GD may also vary in terms of geographical locations.…”

Correction: Marital status and gambling disorder: a longitudinal study based on national registry data

“…Following the publication of the original article [ 1 ], multiple errors were identified in the sections and Tables 1 and 2 . The correct tables are given below and the changes in the abstract, results and discussion sections have been highlighted in bold typeface .…”