Comorbid addictive behaviors in disordered gamblers with psychosis

Objective: While it has been shown that disordered gamblers with psychosis are at increased risk for comorbid psychopathology, it is unclear whether this dual-diagnosis population is also at greater risk of problematic engagement with comorbid addictive behaviors. Methods: We tested for association between disordered gambling with psychosis and comorbid addictive behaviors in a sample of 349 treatment-seeking disordered gamblers. Results: Twenty-five (7.2%) disordered gamblers met criteria for psychosis. Disordered gamblers with psychosis were no more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for current alcohol/substance use disorder than disordered gamblers without psychosis. However, this dual-disorder population reported greater misuse of shopping, food bingeing, caffeine, and prescription drugs. When controlling for multiple comparisons, binge eating was the only addictive behavior to remain significant. Conclusion: Given these findings, a comprehensive assessment of addictive behaviors - specifically food bingeing - in this population may be warranted.

A cross-cultural study of gambling disorder: a comparison between women from Brazil and the United States

Objective: To perform a cross-cultural comparison of gambling disorder (GD) in women from Brazil and the United States, two countries with pronounced social and cultural differences. We hoped to produce insight into the impact of cultural influences on the presentation of GD in women, which may be useful for the development of culturally-sensitive interventions. Method: We assessed 681 women with GD: 406 from a Brazilian sample and 275 from a U.S. sample. We assessed demographic and gambling behavior variables in addition to co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Results: Fewer Brazilian participants were Caucasian (73.3 vs. 91.3%; p = 0.022). Also, Brazilian women had lower levels of education (59.9% with high school or less vs. 44.4%; p < 0.001), and were more likely to have a current partner (54.9 vs. 43.4%; p = 0.003). Brazilian gamblers also reported lower urge scores (6.6±4.3 vs. 11.6±2.4; p < 0.001) and higher chasing rates (89.1 vs. 80.0%; p = 0.002). Brazilian gamblers reported higher rates of bingo gambling (19.2 vs. 5.7%; p < 0.001), but lower rates of card game gambling (5.8 vs. 23.1%; p < 0.001). Finally, Brazilian gamblers were more likely to endorse a history of major depressive disorder (36.9 vs. 24.4%; p = 0.001). Conclusions: This study reinforces the need for further general cross-cultural research on GD and particularly for studies investigating how gender mediates these differences. Finally, the differences noted in this analysis suggest that the findings of predominantly Anglo-Saxon cultures may not be generalizable to other world populations.

Prevalencia estimada de juego patológico en estudiantes de la Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, año 2013 / Estimated prevalence of pathological gambling among college students of the Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, 2013

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las adicciones conductuales se caracterizan por una pérdida del control del sujeto sobre una determinada conducta, siendo el juego patológico (JP) la más estudiada de ellas. El JP se asocia con graves problemas académicos, alcoholismo, depresión y suicidio por lo que es fundamental saber su prevalencia en la población universitaria. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de potenciales ludópatas entre estudiantes regulares de pregrado de la Universidad Austral de Chile durante el año 2013. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. A fines de 2013 se invitó a participar de una encuesta de auto aplicación on-line a los estudiantes de la Universidad Austral de Chile. Esta incluyó el cuestionario sobre JP basado en los criterios DSM-IV-TR y DSM V. El punto de corte para determinar potencial adicción fue de 5/10 criterios. Se utilizó Microsoft Excel para análisis. RESULTADOS: Se recopilaron 1.613 encuestas, siendo 1.254 válidas. La muestra se conformó por hombres: 53,9% y mujeres: 46,09%, la edad media correspondió a 21,62 años. El 6,38% (n=80) puede ser catalogado como potenciales jugadores patológicos. De ellos, el 77,5% (n=62) fueron hombres y 22,5% (n=18) mujeres. Si se compara la prevalencia obtenida con DSM-IV-TR y DSM V esta aumenta en un 60% con DSM V respecto al anterior. DISCUSIÓN: La prevalencia estimada de JP en este estudio es similar a la de otros países. Hay marcado predominio de hombres. Se aprecia importante diferencia en la prevalencia dependiendo de qué criterio diagnóstico se use

INTRODUCTION: Behavioral addictions are characterized by a loss of control of the subject over a certain behavior, being pathological gambling (JP) the most studied of them. JP is associated with serious academic problems, alcoholism, depression and suicide, so it is essential to know its prevalence in the university population. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of potential gamblers among regular undergraduate students of the Austral University of Chile during 2013. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study of transverse cut. At the end of 2013, the students of the Austral University of Chile were invited to participate in an online self-application survey. This included the JP questionnaire based on the DSM-IV-TR and DSM V criteria. The cut-off point for determining potential addiction was 5/10 criteria. Microsoft Excel was used for analysis. RESULTS: 1,613 surveys were collected, 1,254 of which were valid. The sample was made up of 53.9% men and 46.09% women, the mean age was 21.62 years. 6.38% (n = 80) can be classified as potential pathological players. Of these, 77.5% (n = 62) were men and 22.5% (n = 18) were women. If the prevalence obtained with DSM-IV-TR and DSM V is compared, it increases by 60% with DSM V compared to the previous one. DISCUSSION: The estimated prevalence of JP in this study is similar to that of other countries. There is a marked predominance of men. There is a significant difference in prevalence depending on which diagnostic criterion is used.

Prevalencia de adicción al juego y estrategias de afrontamiento de adolescentes escolarizados en el municipio de la Unión (Colombia) / Prevalence of addiction to gambling and coping strategies of adolescents enrolled in the town of Union (Colombia)

Objetivo Identificar la prevalencia de adicción al juego y las estrategias de afrontamiento empleadas por jóvenes escolarizados en un municipio de Colombia. MetodologíaEstudio descriptivo, transversal en una población de 294 estudiantes adolescentes escolarizados. Para la medición del riesgo de juego se usó el cuestionario de Fisher basado en los criterios del DSM IV- J y se aplicó la escala de estrategias de afrontamiento para adolescentes (ACS) diseñada por Frydenberg y Lewis. Resultados El 73,5% de los participantes afirmó que había jugado alguna vez en su vida en máquinas paga monedas y el 79,6% reportaron haber hecho uso de video y juegos en línea. Entre los varones, se clasificaron como probables jugadores sociales el 7,5% y como probables jugadores patológicos el 2,5% y entre las mujeres el 17,2% y el 11,2%, respectivamente. Las estrategias de afrontamiento más utilizadas por los jóvenes fueron: hacerse ilusiones, falta afrontamiento, reducción de la tensión, acción social, ignorar el problema, auto inculparse, reservarlo para sí y reducción de la tensión. Conclusiones Los resultados se convierten en un referente para la creación de programas de intervención en salud mental, orientados a generar estrategias de prevención que lleven a los jóvenes a dominar sus impulsos de jugar, a auto-regular el tiempo que pasan jugando y a tratar a quienes tengan dificultades para controlar sus impulsos de jugar, con el fin de que puedan rehabilitarse de manera oportuna.

ObjectiveTo identify the prevalence of gambling addiction and coping strategies used by youth enrolled in a municipality of Colombia. Methodology Descriptive cross-sectional study in a population of 294 school adolescent students. Questionnaire Fisher based on criteria of DSM IV - J was used for measuring the risk of game and applied the scale of coping strategies for adolescents (ACS) designed by Frydenberg and Lewis. Results73,5% of respondents stated that he had played once in his life in machines pay coins and 79,6% reported having made use of video and games online. Among men, it was classified as probable social players 7,5% and as probable pathological players 2,5%, and among women the 17,2% and 11,2%, respectively. Coping strategies used most by young people were: do illusions, lack coping, stress, social action, ignoring the problem, auto indict is, reserve it for themselves and stress reduction. ConclusionsThe results become a reference for the creation of intervention in mental health programs, oriented to generate prevention strategies that lead to young people to master their impulses of play, to auto-regulate the time spent playing and to treat those who have difficulties to control their impulses to play, so they can be rehabilitated in a timely manner.