Retrospective and prospective assessments of gambling-related behaviors across the female menstrual cycle

Abstract

Background and aims: Despite increases in female gambling, little research investigates female-specific factors affecting gambling behavior (GB). Although research suggests that some addictive behaviors may fluctuate across menstrual cycle phase (MCP), gambling requires further investigation. In two studies, we examined associations between MCP and three risky GBs: time spent gambling, money spent gambling, and the probability of consuming alcohol while gambling. Associations between MCP and negative affect were also examined in Study 2. We predicted that, consistent with self-medication theory, increases in negative affect (Study 2) and risky GBs (Studies 1 and 2) would occur premenstrually/menstrually relative to other phases. Methods: Data were obtained from 33 female gamblers using a retrospective timeline followback procedure (Study 1) and from 20 female gamblers using a prospective 32-day, daily diary method (Study 2). In Study 2, salivary progesterone levels verified self-reported MCP validity. Results: Findings revealed significant, but somewhat inconsistent, MCP effects on GBs across studies. The self-medication hypothesis was partially supported. Increases relative to another MCP(s) were found for alcohol consumption while gambling premenstrually, time spent gambling menstrually/premenstrually, money spent gambling menstrually, and negative affect premenstrually. Unexpectedly, findings more consistently indicated that GBs increased during ovulation, suggestive of enhanced reward sensitivity. Progesterone assays validated selfreported MCP (Study 2). Discussion and conclusions: The results suggest a role of ovarian hormones on negative affect and GBs in females. This research could lead to the identification of female-specific factors affecting gambling and the development of more effective interventions for females with, or at risk for, problematic gambling.

Gambling Dual Disorder: A Dual Disorder and Clinical Neuroscience Perspective

“…Another example of GD as self-medication derives from the relationship between premenstrual symptoms and the associated perimenopausal depression in women ( 90 ). Women are at increased risk for gambling-related behaviors before and during menstruation (in comparison with other phases of the menstrual cycle) which may be a means of self-medication for the elevated negative affect ( 91 ).…”

“…Investigations suggest that some addictive behaviors (including GD) can fluctuate over the menstrual cycle. Indeed, a recent study found that gambling behaviors (time spent gambling, money spent on gambling, and the probability of consuming alcohol while gambling) are exacerbated during ovulation ( 91 ).…”

The effects of alcohol on sequential decision-making biases during gambling

“…First, we tested only male participants, who tend to show higher levels of risk-taking (Cross et al 2011) and higher rates of problem gambling (Kessler et al 2008), but generalization to females cannot be assumed. Rates of problem gambling appear to be increasing among females (McCarthy et al 2019), and gambling tendencies (including the use of alcohol while gambling) were recently linked to menstrual cycle phase (Joyce et al 2019).…”

The Use of the Intensive Longitudinal Methods to Study Financial Well-Being: A Scoping Review and Future Research Agenda

“…Further, because our scoping review focuses on the emergence of a new methodology, and our goal is to demonstrate applications and help delineate future research questions to move this small literature forward, we found this number sufficient for this goal. One of the nine records we selected (Joyce et al, 2019 ) described two different studies. We coded only the second study they presented as the first study did not satisfy inclusion criteria.…”