Gender Differences in Treatment Seeking Gamblers with a Comorbid Eating Disorder

Abstract: Recent literature suggests that gambling and eating disorders may co-occur more frequently than once thought. However, no studies have directly examined whether gender differences exist in comorbid gambling and eating disorders. The present study investigated gender differences in current gambling behaviors, gambling severity, gambling-related cognitive distortions, and psychiatric comorbidities in dual-diagnosed participants. The sample consisted of 349 treatment-seeking gamblers at a university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Gambling disorder and other psychiatric comorbidities were assessed via comprehensive clinical interviews. Of the total sample, 43 participants met criteria for both a gambling and eating disorder, and subsequently completed a series of self-report measures to evaluate gambling behaviours, gambling severity, and cognitive distortions related to gambling. No gender differences were found in any gambling variables. In contrast, several gender differences were found in current psychiatric co-morbidities. Although women were more likely to have an eating disorder diagnosis (n = 28; 8.0%) than men (n = 15; 4.3%), men were more likely to report comorbid depression, alcohol use disorder, and compulsive sexual behaviors. The gender differences observed provide further evidence for the need to consider gender-specific patterns of presentation in treatment for eating and gambling disorders. Implications: The greater psychopathology observed in male versus female gamblers with an eating disorder may call for clinicians to carefully consider and screen for other associated psychological problems in this population and to incorporate brief eating disorder screens such as the ‘SCOFF clinical prediction guide’ within gambling intervention programs

Reactive and Proactive Mechanisms of Response Inhibition in Gambling Disorder

Response inhibition, one component of cognitive control, refers to the ability to inhibit automatic responses and has been found to be impaired in gambling disorder. Recent models of cognitive control distinguish between two mechanisms: reactive (ability to stop in response to a stop-stimulus) and proactive control (ability to anticipate and prepare for a stop). Previous studies have focused on reactive modes of control in gambling disorder. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to assess the mechanisms of response inhibition in individuals with gambling disorder (n=27) and community controls (n=21) using a variant of the traditional stop-signal task. Second, the relationship between trait impulsivity, and reactive and proactive control was examined. No group differences in reactive or proactive control were found. However, one domain of trait impulsivity (premeditation) was associated with worse proactive control in the gambling group. Implications for impulsivity-focused approaches to treatment and future directions are discussed

Alberta Gambling Research Institute Conference 2020: Freedom, Justice and Sovereignty in Gaming

The Alberta Gambling Research Institute's 19th Annual Conference "Freedom, Justice and Sovereignty in Gaming" was scheduled to take place in March, 2020 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. A selection of conference presentations and research posters that were accepted for presentation at the event have been made available with the permission of the authors

Alberta Gambling Research Institute Conference 2021: Gambling in Canada: Current Research & Future Directions

Conference presentations and research posters presented at the event made available with the permission of the authors.The Alberta Gambling Research Institute's 20th Annual Conference "Gambling in Canada: Current Research & Future Directions" took place April 27-29, 2021 as a live virtual event. A selection of conference presentations and research posters presented at the event have been made available with the permission of the authors