Epidemiología del juego patológico en un programa de tratamiento profesional

The aim of the present study was to observe the sociodemographic andpsychological features in a sample of pathological gamblers in a professional treatment programme. All patients sought treatment in the Pathological Gambling Unit of the Department of Psychiatry at Ciutat Sanitaria i Universitària de Bellvitge, Barcelona (Spain). The sample was composed of 172 subjects diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria (APA, 1994) for pathological gambling. A questionaire dealing with biographical and socioTfamily matters (González Ibáñez, 1994) was handed out to them. This questionnaire contained inforrnation about biography, family, relationship with spouse/partner, social relationships, occupation, hobbies, illnesses and aspects of gambling. The evaluation of the subjects was perforrned in the Pathological Garnbling Unit. The results revealed the following profile: Male, with un average age of 40.43 years, married, with primary education, skilled manual worker, ernployed, without a family history of psychiatric illness and without psychiatric comorbidity, with current debts or debts in the past and in the main slot machine gamblers. Other findings are also presented and discussed.El objetivo del presente estudio fue observar las características sociodemográficas y psicológicas de un grupo de jugadores patológicos, en un programa de tratamiento profesional. Todos los pacientes solicitaron tratamiento en la Unidad de Juego Patológico del Servicio de Psiquiatría de la Ciutat Sanitària i Universitaria de Bellvitge, en Barcelona. La muestra se componía de 172 sujetos diagnosticados de juego patológico según los criterios DSM-IV (APA, 1994) a los que se les entregó un cuestionario de datos biográficos y sociofamiliares (González Ibáñez, 1994). Este cuestionario contiene información sobre datos biográficos, familiares, relación de pareja, relaciones sociales, trabajo, aficiones, enfermedades y aspectos relacionados con el juego. Los resultados mostraron el siguiente perfil: hombres, con una edad media de 40.43 años, casados, con estudios primarios, trabajadores cualificados, activos laboralmente, sin antecedentes psiquiátricos familiares y sin comorbilidad psiquiátrica, con deudas actuales o en el pasado y jugadores de máquinas recreativas con premio, en su mayoría. Asímismo se presentan y discuten otros resultados

Evaluación y tratamiento cognitivo-conductual de jugadores patológicos de máquinas recreativas con premio

Pathological gamblers form a heterogeneous group with various biopsychosocial features, which leave them susceptible to addiction to gambling. More homogeneous subgroups could be identified based on the specific weight of these factors and on rhe type of gambling chosen for their addiction. The aims of the study were to identifi the possible existence of subgroups of pathological gamblers in tems of certain psychological and psychopathological variables in a sample of 60 subjects diagnosed with this disorder according to DSM-IV criteria (APA, 1994). Furthemore, we tried to present un initial descriptive study on the progress of the subjects treated. Several questionnaires and structured interviews were used to evaluate the subjects SCL-90-R, Zuckerman's Sensation-Seeking Scale, Social Support Scale, Eysenck's Impulsiveness Scale 17, among others). Cluster analysis was pelfomed in treating the data. Three homogeneous groups were differentiated in relation to the level of psychopathology exhibited, since the psychological features evaluated were maintained in the three groups.Los jugadores patológicos formarían un grupo heterogéneo con unas características biopsicosociales que les harían vulnerables a la adicción al juego y podrían identificarse unos subgrupos más homogéneos, a partir del peso específico de estos factores y del tipo de juego elegido para su adicción. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron identificar la existencia de posibles subgrupos de jugadores patológicos, en función de determinadas variables psicológicas y psicopatológicas, en una muestra de 60 sujetos diagnosticados de este trastorno, según criterios DSM-IV (APA, 1994). Asimismo, se pretendió presentar un primer estudio descriptivo sobre la evolución de los sujetos tratados. Se utilizaron diversos cuestionarios y entrevistas estructuradas para realizar la evaluación de los sujetos (Symptom Check List Revised, SCL-90-R; el Sensation Seeking Scale, SSS; Social Support Scale, Impulsiveness Scale de Eysenck, 17, entre otras). Se realizó un análisis de cluster para el tratamiento de los datos, que diferenció tres grupos homogéneos en relación al grado de psicopatologia que presentaban, mientras que las características psicológicas evaluadas se mantuvieron en los tres grupos

Variables psicológicas y psicopatológicas en el juego patológico

The aim of the present study was to compare the demographic, psychological and psychopathological features of pathological fruit machine gamblers and bingo players. Similarly, psychopathological and psychological differences were observed between those pathological gamblers in the sample who abused substances and those who did not. The sample was composed of 153 pathological gamblers, 79% (N=120) with fruit machines and 22% (N=33) in bingo-halls. In the sample 14% abused substances, whereas the remaining 86% did not. All the patients sought treatrnent in the Pathological Cambling Unit at the Ciutat Sanitària i Universitària de Bellvitge, in Barcelona (Spain). Both groups of patients were diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria (APA, 1994)f or pathological gambling and for substance abuse. The psychological questionnaires administered used two different scales: SCL-90-R and Zuckeman's Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS). Significant differences between both groups were found on the subscale of hostility on the SCL-90-R (p<.02) and on the subscale of experience seeking on the SSS (p<.03). Significant differences emerged on all the SCL-90-R subscales between substance-abusing and non-substance abusing pathological gamblers. No significant differences were detected between groups in any of the socio-dernographical variables assessed.El objetivo del presente trabajo fue comparar las características demográficas, psicológicas y psicopatológicas de un grupo de jugadores de máquinas recreativas con premio y otro de jugadores de bingo. Asimismo, se trató de identificar las diferencias existentes en las variables seleccionadas, entre un grupo de jugadores patológicos que además abusaban de sustancias psicoactivas y otro que no lo hacía. La muestra secompuso de 153 jugadores patológicos, 79% (N=120) de máquinas recreativas con premio y 22% (N=33) de bingo. De la muestra inicial, un 14% presentaba abuso de sustancias psicoactivas, además de juego patológico y el 86% restante no. Todos los sujetos habían acudido en busca de tratamientoa la Unidad de Juego Patológico de la Ciutat Sanitaria i Universitaria de Bellvitge, en Barcelona. Ambos grupos, fueron diagnosticados siguiendo los criterios diagnósticos DSM-lV (APA, 1994) para juego patológico y con los criterios generales para el diagnóstico de abuso de sustancias psicoactivas, según el DSM-IV. Con respecto a los cuestionarios psicológicos, se administraron el Symptom Check List Revised (SCL-90-Ry) el Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS). Se hallaron diferencias signifcativas en la escala de hostilidad del SCL-90-R (p <.02) entre jugadores de máquinas y de bingo, así como en la escala de búsqueda de experiencias del SSS (p<.03). También se obtuvieron diferencias significativas en todas las dimensiones del scL-90-R, así como en todas las subescalas del SSS, entre los sujetos que abusaban de sustancias psicoactivas y los que no lo hacían. No se hallaron diferencias entre los grupos en ninguna de las variables sociodemográficas estudiadas

Epidemiología del juego patológico en un programa de tratamiento profesional

The aim of the present study was to observe the sociodemographic andpsychological features in a sample of pathological gamblers in a professional treatment programme. All patients sought treatment in the Pathological Gambling Unit of the Department of Psychiatry at Ciutat Sanitaria i Universitària de Bellvitge, Barcelona (Spain). The sample was composed of 172 subjects diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria (APA, 1994) for pathological gambling. A questionaire dealing with biographical and socioTfamily matters (González Ibáñez, 1994) was handed out to them. This questionnaire contained inforrnation about biography, family, relationship with spouse/partner, social relationships, occupation, hobbies, illnesses and aspects of gambling. The evaluation of the subjects was perforrned in the Pathological Garnbling Unit. The results revealed the following profile: Male, with un average age of 40.43 years, married, with primary education, skilled manual worker, ernployed, without a family history of psychiatric illness and without psychiatric comorbidity, with current debts or debts in the past and in the main slot machine gamblers. Other findings are also presented and discussed.El objetivo del presente estudio fue observar las características sociodemográficas y psicológicas de un grupo de jugadores patológicos, en un programa de tratamiento profesional. Todos los pacientes solicitaron tratamiento en la Unidad de Juego Patológico del Servicio de Psiquiatría de la Ciutat Sanitària i Universitaria de Bellvitge, en Barcelona. La muestra se componía de 172 sujetos diagnosticados de juego patológico según los criterios DSM-IV (APA, 1994) a los que se les entregó un cuestionario de datos biográficos y sociofamiliares (González Ibáñez, 1994). Este cuestionario contiene información sobre datos biográficos, familiares, relación de pareja, relaciones sociales, trabajo, aficiones, enfermedades y aspectos relacionados con el juego. Los resultados mostraron el siguiente perfil: hombres, con una edad media de 40.43 años, casados, con estudios primarios, trabajadores cualificados, activos laboralmente, sin antecedentes psiquiátricos familiares y sin comorbilidad psiquiátrica, con deudas actuales o en el pasado y jugadores de máquinas recreativas con premio, en su mayoría. Asímismo se presentan y discuten otros resultados

Evaluación y tratamiento cognitivo-conductual de jugadores patológicos de máquinas recreativas con premio

Pathological gamblers form a heterogeneous group with various biopsychosocial features, which leave them susceptible to addiction to gambling. More homogeneous subgroups could be identified based on the specific weight of these factors and on rhe type of gambling chosen for their addiction. The aims of the study were to identifi the possible existence of subgroups of pathological gamblers in tems of certain psychological and psychopathological variables in a sample of 60 subjects diagnosed with this disorder according to DSM-IV criteria (APA, 1994). Furthemore, we tried to present un initial descriptive study on the progress of the subjects treated. Several questionnaires and structured interviews were used to evaluate the subjects SCL-90-R, Zuckerman's Sensation-Seeking Scale, Social Support Scale, Eysenck's Impulsiveness Scale 17, among others). Cluster analysis was pelfomed in treating the data. Three homogeneous groups were differentiated in relation to the level of psychopathology exhibited, since the psychological features evaluated were maintained in the three groups.Los jugadores patológicos formarían un grupo heterogéneo con unas características biopsicosociales que les harían vulnerables a la adicción al juego y podrían identificarse unos subgrupos más homogéneos, a partir del peso específico de estos factores y del tipo de juego elegido para su adicción. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron identificar la existencia de posibles subgrupos de jugadores patológicos, en función de determinadas variables psicológicas y psicopatológicas, en una muestra de 60 sujetos diagnosticados de este trastorno, según criterios DSM-IV (APA, 1994). Asimismo, se pretendió presentar un primer estudio descriptivo sobre la evolución de los sujetos tratados. Se utilizaron diversos cuestionarios y entrevistas estructuradas para realizar la evaluación de los sujetos (Symptom Check List Revised, SCL-90-R; el Sensation Seeking Scale, SSS; Social Support Scale, Impulsiveness Scale de Eysenck, 17, entre otras). Se realizó un análisis de cluster para el tratamiento de los datos, que diferenció tres grupos homogéneos en relación al grado de psicopatologia que presentaban, mientras que las características psicológicas evaluadas se mantuvieron en los tres grupos

Executive functioning among female pathological gambling and bulimia nervosa patients: preliminary findings

Shared vulnerabilities have been described across disorders of impulse control, including pathological gambling (PG) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Our aim was to compare the executive functioning of PG and BN females in order to confirm their similarity at a neurocognitive level. A total of 15 BN females, 15 PG females, and 15 healthy control (HC) females were administered the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the Stroop Color and Word Test. Analysis of covariance adjusted for age and education was conducted to compare groups. PG showed the greatest impairment, that is, the highest percentage of WCST perseverative errors (p = .023), the lowest percentage of conceptual-level responses (p = .034), and the highest number of total trials administered (p = .021), while BN showed the highest percentage of WCST nonperseverative errors (p = .003). Both BN and PG females demonstrated executive dysfunction relative to HCs but different specific correlates (i.e., greater vulnerability to distraction in BN, but more cognitive inflexibility in PG)

Internet gaming disorder and online gambling disorder: Clinical and personality correlates

Background and aims: The recent growth of Internet use has led to an increase of potentially problematic behaviors that can be engaged online, such as online gambling or Internet gaming. The aim of this study is to better conceptualize Internet gaming disorder (IGD) by comparing it with gambling disorder (GD) patients who only gamble online (online GD). Methods: A total of 288 adult patients (261 online GD and 27 IGD) completed self-reported questionnaires for exploring psychopathological symptoms, food addiction (FA), and personality traits. Results: Both clinical groups presented higher psychopathological scores and less functional personality traits when compared with a normative Spanish population. However, when comparing IGD to online GD, some singularities emerged. First, patients with IGD were younger, more likely single and unemployed, and they also presented lower age of disorder onset. In addition, they displayed lower somatization and depressive scores together with lower prevalence of tobacco use but higher FA scores and higher mean body mass index. Finally, they presented lower novelty seeking and persistence traits. Discussion: GD is fully recognized as a behavioral addiction, but IGD has been included in the Appendix of DSM-5 as a behavioral addiction that needs further study. Our findings suggest that IGD and online GD patients share some emotional distress and personality traits, but patients with IGD also display some differential characteristics, namely younger age, lower novelty seeking scores and higher BMI, and FA scores. Conclusions: IGD presents some characteristics that are not extensive to online GD. These specificities have potential clinical implications and they need to be further studied

Compulsive buying behavior: clinical comparison with other behavioral addictions

Compulsive buying behavior (CBB) has been recognized as a prevalent mental health disorder, yet its categorization into classification systems remains unsettled. The objective of this study was to assess the sociodemographic and clinic variables related to the CBB phenotype compared to other behavioral addictions. Three thousand three hundred and twenty four treatment-seeking patients were classified in five groups: CBB, sexual addiction, Internet gaming disorder, Internet addiction, and gambling disorder. CBB was characterized by a higher proportion of women, higher levels of psychopathology, and higher levels in the personality traits of novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence, persistence, and cooperativeness compared to other behavioral addictions. Results outline the heterogeneity in the clinical profiles of patients diagnosed with different behavioral addiction subtypes and shed new light on the primary mechanisms of CBB

Compulsive buying behavior: characteristics of comorbidity with gambling disorder

Compulsive buying behavior (CBB) has begun to be recognized as a condition worthy of attention by clinicians and researchers. Studies on the commonalities between CBB and other behavioral addictions such as gambling disorder (GD) exist in the literature, but additional research is needed to assess the frequency and clinical relevance of the comorbidity of CBB and GD. The aim of the study was to estimate the point-prevalence of CBB+GD in a clinical setting. Data corresponded to n = 3221 treatment-seeking patients who met criteria for CBB or GD at a public hospital unit specialized in treating behavioral addictions. Three groups were compared: only-CBB (n = 127), only-GD (n = 3118) and comorbid CBB+GD (n = 24). Prevalence for the co-occurrence of CBB+GD was 0.75%. In the stratum of patients with GD, GD+CBB comorbidity obtained relatively low point prevalence (0.77%), while in the subsample of CBB patients the estimated prevalence of comorbid GD was relatively high (18.9%). CBB+GD comorbidity was characterized by lower prevalence of single patients, higher risk of other behavioral addictions (sex, gaming or internet), older age and age of onset. CBB+GD registered a higher proportion of women compared to only-GD (37.5 vs. 10.0%) but a higher proportion of men compared to only-CBB (62.5 vs. 24.4%). Compared to only-GD patients, the simultaneous presence of CBB+GD was associated with increased psychopathology and dysfunctional levels of harm avoidance. This study provides empirical evidence to better understand CBB, GD and their co-occurrence. Future research should help delineate the processes through which people acquire and develop this comorbidity

Typologies of young pathological gamblers based on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics

Objective: the aim of this study is to explore empirical clusters within the population of young Spanish individuals attending outpatient pathological gambling treatment. Method: the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R), the Temperament and Character Inventory-R (TCI-R) and other clinical and psychopathological measures were administered to 154 patients (between 17 and 25 years old). The two-step cluster analysis explored the presence of empirical heterogeneous groups based on clinical and socio-demographic characteristics. Results: three clusters of young pathological gambling patients emerged. Type I showed less psychopathology and more functional personality traits. Type II showed a profile characterized by major emotional distress, shame, immaturity, hostility and negative feelings. Type III showed the most severe psychopathological profile and most psychopathological disturbances and schizotypal traits. Conclusions: these results suggest that three distinct endophenotypes exist, and that environmental factors have a stronger influence in the first, while in the second and third, individual factors related to deficits of emotional regulation stand out