Gambling disorder-related illegal acts: Regression model of associated factors

J Behav Addict. 2017 Mar 1;6(1):64-73. doi: 10.1556/2006.6.2017.003. Epub 2017 Feb 15.

Abstract

Background and aims Gambling disorder-related illegal acts (GDRIA) are often crucial events for gamblers and/or their entourage. This study was designed to determine the predictive factors of GDRIA. Methods Participants were 372 gamblers reporting at least three DSM-IV-TR (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) criteria. They were assessed on the basis of sociodemographic characteristics, gambling-related characteristics, their personality profile, and psychiatric comorbidities. A multiple logistic regression was performed to identify the relevant predictors of GDRIA and their relative contribution to the prediction of the presence of GDRIA. Results Multivariate analysis revealed a higher South Oaks Gambling Scale score, comorbid addictive disorders, and a lower level of income as GDRIA predictors. Discussion and conclusion An original finding of this study was that the comorbid addictive disorder effect might be mediated by a disinhibiting effect of stimulant substances on GDRIA. Further studies are necessary to replicate these results, especially in a longitudinal design, and to explore specific therapeutic interventions.

Keywords: DSM; addiction; gambling disorder; illegal acts; predictors.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Comorbidity
  • Criminal Behavior*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • France
  • Gambling* / complications
  • Gambling* / psychology
  • Gambling* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Income
  • Interview, Psychological
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Personality
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology

Grants and funding

Funding sources: This study was supported by both the joint support of the French Inter-departmental Mission for the fight against drugs and drug addiction (MILDT) and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), as part of the call for research projects launched by these two organizations in 2007, and a grant from the French Ministry of Health (PHRC 2009 – RCB 2008-A01188-47). There were no constraints on publishing. This research was conducted at the initiative of and coordinated by the gambling section of the Clinical Investigation Unit BALANCED “BehaviorAL AddictioNs and ComplEx mood Disorders” (the Reference Centre for Excessive Gambling) of the University Hospital of Nantes, who is the sponsor of this study.