Rocío Polo-López

Clinical gender differences among adult pathological gamblers seeking treatment.

This study aimed to examine the gender-related differences in demographics, gambling measures, psychological functioning, and motivation for therapy in an outpatient sample of pathological gamblers seeking treatment. Participants in this multisite study included 103 adult outpatients (51 women and 52 men) meeting current DSM-IV-TR criteria for PG. Logistic regression was used to examine if gender was related together to categorical and continuous independent variables. Female gamblers were older than men and more likely to be divorced or widowed and to have a lower annual income. Women became more dependent on bingo and men on slot machines. Gambling motivation and the course of illness for both sexes were also different. Female gamblers were more anxious and with a poorer self-esteem than male gamblers and more affected by depressive symptoms; in turn, men were more impulsive and higher sensation seekers than women and more affected by drug/alcohol abuse. The 68.6% of female gamblers reported being victims of intimate partner violence. There were no gender differences about the motivation for treatment. Future research should examine gambling behaviors and psychological functioning and suggest treatment approaches to address specific goals according to these gender-related differences.

Predictors of pathological gambling severity taking gender differences into account.

Background: The current study aims to identify predictors of pathological gambling (PG) severity, taking gender differences into account, in an outpatient sample of pathological gamblers seeking treatment. Methods: The sample for this study consisted of 103 subjects (51 women and 52 men) meeting current DSM-IV-TR criteria for PG. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to examine different risk factors (gender, age, impulsivity, sensation seeking, self-esteem) and risk markers (depression, anxiety, gambling-related thoughts, substance abuse) as predictors of PG severity. Results: Impulsivity, maladjustment in everyday life and age at gambling onset were the best predictors in the overall sample. When gender differences were taken into account, duration of gambling disorder in women and depression and impulsivity in men predicted PG severity. In turn, a high degree of severity in the South Oaks Gambling Screen score was related to older age and more familiy support in women and to low self-esteem and alcohol abuse in men. Female gamblers were older than male gamblers and started gambling later in life, but became dependent on gambling more quickly than men. Conclusions: Further research should examine these data to tailor treatment to specific patients’ needs according to sex and individual characteristics.

Pathological Gamblers and a Non-Psychiatric Control Group Taking Gender Differences into Account

The current study aimed to identify personality traits, emotional states and adjustment variables in a sample of pathological gamblers as compared to a non-gambling control group taking gender differences into account. The sample for this study consisted of 206 subjects (103 pathological gamblers and 103 non-psychiatric subjects from the general population matched for age and gender). Pathological gamblers had a lower educational level and a family history of alcohol abuse higher than non-gamblers. In turn, female gamblers were affected by unemployment and a lower socioeconomic status more often than female non-gamblers. Pathological gamblers were more anxious and impulsive and suffered from a poorer self-esteem than non-gamblers. Likewise, pathological gamblers had a greater history of other Axis I psychiatric disorders and were more often affected by anxiety and depression symptoms and showed a more problematic adjustment to everyday life than non-gamblers. Alcohol abuse was not higher in pathological gamblers than in non-gamblers, but, when gender was taken into account, male gamblers were more affected by alcohol abuse than male non-gamblers. Importantly 68.6% of female gamblers versus 9.8% of control group women reported being victims of intimate partner violence. These findings can be used to specifically inform prevention and intervention efforts.

Pathological Gambling: Clinical Gender Differences

Little is known about gender-related differences among pathological gamblers in clinical samples because available data on the etiology and treatment of pathological gambling have involved predominantly male patients. However, significant gender differences in the clinical presentation of pathological gambling exist. Female gamblers are older than men and more likely to be divorced or widowed and to have a lower annual income. Women became more dependent on bingo and men on slot machines. Gambling motivation and the course of illness for the two sexes are also different. Female gamblers are more anxious and have poorer self-esteem than male gamblers and are more affected by depressive symptoms; in turn, men are more impulsive and greater sensation seekers than women and are more affected by drug/alcohol abuse. Among female gamblers, 70 % reported being victims of intimate partner violence. There are no gender differences with regard to the motivation for treatment. Future research should examine gambling behaviors and psychological functioning and suggest treatment approaches to address specific goals according to these gender-related differences.

Effectiveness of a psychological support program for relatives of people with mental disorders compared to a control group: A randomized controlled trial

Families of people affected by mental illness may suffer an adverse effect on well-being. In this study, the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral treatment designed for relatives of people with mental health problems was evaluated. The sample comprised 50 individuals: 30 in the experimental group, who completed assessment measures in pre-posttreatment and 6 months later, and 20 participants in the control group, who were assessed at baseline and 6 months later. In the experimental group, significant improvements in well-being were observed following the treatment and 6 months later, when compared to the control group, which did not demonstrate any significant changes in outcomes between the baseline and the second assessment 6 months later. This program has proven to be effective as a treatment for the relatives of people with mental disorders. Finally, several topics that may contribute to future research are discussed.

Piloting a Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Family Members Living With Individuals With Severe Mental Disorders

Living with a person who experiences mental health problems can have an adverse effect on well-being. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychological treatment for relatives of people with mental health problems, byusing an interrupted time-series design. The sample comprised 20 individuals, who completed assessment measures at baseline and 6 months later. Sixteen of these participants then received the treatment and were assessed again at the end of the program. There were no significant changes in outcomes between the baseline and the second assessments done 6 months later and there were significant improvements in well-being following treatment The program shows promise as a treatment for relatives of people with mental health problems and therefore warrants further evaluation in more controlled studies.