Session Title
Mid-morning Break and Poster Sessions: FEATURED POSTERS
Presentation Type
Event
Location
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
Start Date
29-5-2019 10:25 AM
End Date
29-5-2019 11:00 AM
Disciplines
Clinical Psychology
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Gambling disorder, eating disorders, bulimia nervosa, comorbidity
Funding Sources
N/A
Competing Interests
N/A
Included in
Gender Differences in Treatment Seeking Gamblers with a Comorbid Eating Disorder
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
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.