Similar roles for recovery capital but not stress in women and men recovering from gambling disorder

Abstract

Background Understanding gender-related differences is important in recovery processes. Previous studies have investigated gender-related differences in factors associated with gambling disorder (GD), but none to date have considered both positive and negative resources related to recovery. Using a recovery capital (RC) framework that considers multiple resources available during recovery, this study examined gender-related similarities and differences in associations between positive resources (RC, spirituality) and negative experiences and states (stressful life events, depression, and anxiety) and GD symptom improvement. Method One hundred and forty individuals with lifetime GD (101 men) were assessed using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for GD (past-year and lifetime prior to past-year), the Brief Assessment of RC, the Intrinsic Spirituality Scale, the Stressful Life-events Scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 for depression. Multiple linear regression and Bayesian statistical analyses were conducted. Results RC was positively and significantly associated with GD symptom improvement in women and men. Stressful life events were negatively associated with GD symptom improvement only in men. Conclusions RC is an important positive resource for men and women recovering from GD and should be considered in treating both women and men. Understanding specific RC factors across gender groups and stressors, particularly in men, may aid in developing improved interventions for GD.

Longitudinal Changes in Gambling, Buying and Materialism in Adolescents: A Population-Based Study

“…The increase in the incidence and prevalence of behavioral addictions and the relevance of early initiation of the problem of gambling disorder and compulsive buying, together with their serious consequences, make it necessary to better understand these problems in young people and adolescents in order to develop and adapt prevention and treatment programs to specific needs according to gender and age. Furthermore, the understanding of gender-related differences is of great importance in the treatment of behavioral addictions [ 77 ].…”

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

“…According to a current meta-analysis, the prevalence of gambling disorder is estimated to be 1.29% in adults (Gabellini et al, 2023 ).Concerning GD prevalence as a function of sex, a ratio of 2:8 of women and men has been found (Merkouris et al, 2016 ). Although there is still limited gender-specific literature on GD, studies have reported sex-related differences in terms of psychopathological profile, gambling behaviour patterns, associated consequences or pathogenesis of GD (Gavriel-Fried et al, 2019 ; Jiménez-Murcia et al, 2020 ; Macía et al, 2023 ). In this regard, for example, it has been observed that different emotions are involved in women and men with gambling problems.…”

Definitions and assessments of recovery from gambling disorder: A scoping review

“…Typically, these studies actually used the definition of "sustained remission"; that is, after the full criteria for GD had previously been met, none of the criteria for GD were met during a period of 12 months or longer (Bischof et al, 2020;Gavriel-Fried, Moretta, & Potenza, 2020b;Rossini-Dib, Fuentes, & Tavares, 2015;Slutske, 2006;Slutske, Blaszczynski, & Martin, 2009. Similarly, Gavriel-Fried et al used the notion of "improvement in GD symptoms" by subtracting the number of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria pertaining to GD that were met during the past year from the number of criteria met over the focal individual's lifetime (Gavriel-Fried, Moretta, & Potenza, 2019, 2020a, 2020c.…”