Parents of male compulsive gamblers: Clinical issues/treatment approaches

This is a study of 126 parents (57 couples and 12 individual parents) of 69 inpatient pathological gamblers. The gamblers ranged in age from 17–37 years. All were males who dated their average age of onset of heavy gambling at 13–14 years. The parents ranged in age from 38–69 years. Treatment approaches specific to parents of compulsive gamblers are discussed. These approaches include education, family therapy, conjoint sessions, combined group, parent group, and aftercare. In addition, the value of self-help through GamAnon is stressed as a means of returning sanity to their lives and as a way of recognizing that these parents have the ability to change their feelings and their behaviors, thereby no longer making the gambler and his gambling the focus of their existence.     

Personality characteristics of sexual addicts and pathological gamblers

Personality characteristics of three groups were compared: sexual addicts (N=32, 6 females, 26 males, ¯x age=36.37), pathological gamblers (N=32, 13 females, 19 males, ¯x age=46.15), and non-addicts (N=38, 13 females, 25 males, ¯x age=39.65). The sexual addict group was significantly more anxious, depressed, obsessive-compulsive and interpersonally sensitive than the non-addict control group. The sexuai addict group was significantly more depressed than the pathological gambler group. The pathological gambler group was significantly more depressed than the non-addict control group, but was not significantly more anxious, obsessive-compulsive, or interpersonally sensitive. Neither addict group scored higher on levels of sensation-seeking or self-defeating behaviors than did the non-addict control group. The results supported the view that sexual addiction can be explained as a means of coping with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsiveness and interpersonal sensitivity whereas pathological gambling may be used as an anti-depressant but there is no significant relationship between that addiction and the other above-mentioned personality characteristics.     

Personality and psychographics of three types of gamblers in the United States

Using the results of the Experian Marketing Services' Simmons^® National Consumer Study (NCS) (N₀ = 24,581), this paper studies the characteristics of three types of US. gamblers: regular lottery players (N₁ = 1100), heavy casino gamblers (N₂ = 636) and online gamblers (N₃ = 291). We explore each type of gambler using measures of several personality and psychographic variables: impulsiveness, desire for control, materialism, risk taking, self-centredness, introversion, sensation seeking and financial prudence. We find that while all three groups have elevated levels of impulsiveness and materialism relative to non-gamblers (p < 0.01), most noteworthy are the online gamblers, who have higher levels of risk taking, desire for control, self-centredness and sensation seeking compared to casino gamblers, lottery players and non-gamblers (p < 0.01). This study additionally emphasizes the importance of considering demographics when investigating psychographics, as some of the psychographics related to gambling are conditioned on age. In addition, we find that online gamblers who also engage in other forms of gambling may be distinct from those who do not, suggesting they are not a homogeneous group.     

Adaptation and validation of the Gambling Motives Questionnaire-Financial (GMQ-F) in a sample of French-speaking gamblers

Previous research has identified specific gambling motives and linked them with both healthy and disordered gambling. The Gambling Motives Questionnaire (GMQ) is currently the most widely used measure for these motives. The present study aimed to offer a French validation of the latest version of this scale, the GMQ-Financial (GMQ-F), which measures four distinct motives (enhancement, social, coping, financial). The French GMQ-F was completed by 278 gamblers from the community and 22 treatment-seeking pathological gamblers, along with scales assessing gambling cognitions, impulsivity, disordered gambling symptoms and psychopathological symptoms. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the expected four-factor model. The GMQ-F subscales have good internal reliability. Validity of the GMQ-F is supported by specific correlations with the other constructs measured. Pathological gamblers differed from gamblers from the community on all but one (social) of the GMQ-F subscales. The French GMQ-F presents good psychometric properties and constitutes a reliable instrument for measuring gambling motives in research and clinical practice.     

Psychophysiological and subjective responses of a community sample of video lottery gamblers in gambling venues and laboratory situations

Physiological and subjective arousal in lounge and laboratory conditions were explored using heart rate (HR), skin conductance (SCL) and subjective ratings for a community sample (N=30) of video lottery terminal gamblers (14 non-pathological gamblers [NPG] and 16 probable pathological gamblers [PPG]). For all participants, mean heart rates and ratings of subjective arousal were higher in the lounge situation, while SCL did not differ between locations. SCL increased over baseline when gambling in both situations. HR initially increased over baseline in the lounge situation only, but by the end of gambling HR increased in both situations. HR, SCL and subjective reports were moderately correlated between venues. No correlations were found between subjective and physiological measures of arousal.     

Behavioural profiling of problem gamblers: a summary and review

In many countries, there is increasing interest in early intervention strategies to assist people who are experiencing gambling-related problems. Central to these discussions is whether it is possible to identify problem gambling and/or risky behaviour in situ before gamblers formally seek assistance. This paper provides a review and critique of the small amount of published literature relating specifically to behavioural indicators and their practical application. It concludes that, while there is general agreement concerning the range of indicators that could be used, the process of identification remains difficult in practice. Multiple indicators are usually required to make reliable identifications; the nature of indicators will vary depending on the mode of gambling (land-based vs online), and venue staff employees usually have insufficient opportunity to obtain enough information to make judgments. The potential value of combining behavioural information with electronically monitored gambling data is discussed as a possible future strategy for enhancing the effectiveness of identification processes.     

The family environment of married male pathological gamblers,alcoholics, and dually addicted gamblers

The family environments of married pathological gamblers, alcoholics, and alcoholic gamblers were measured with the Family Environment Scale (FES), a measure of 10 characteristics of family life. The total sample consists of 193 hospitalized patients, which includes 73 male alcoholics, 53 female alcoholics, and 67 male pathological gamblers, of whom 34 were alcoholics and 33 were not. All four treatment groups had a significantly lower degree of cohesion than normal controls. Male alcoholic gamblers reported significantly more conflict and less personal independence than controls, while male gamblers (nonalcoholics) reported less independence and intellectual-cultural orientation. Male alcoholics (nongamblers) reported more conflict, less independence, intellectual-cultural orientation, and active-recreational orientation than normals. Female alcoholics (nongamblers) also reported less intellectual-cultural orientation and active-recreational orientation than normals. Except for one comparison, treatment groups did not differ from each other. The implications of these findings for models of addiction are discussed as well as their contribution to understanding family issues for pathological gamblers.     

Adapting to failure: The case of horse race gamblers

Exemplifying Goffman's concern with adaptation to failure (cooling the mark), the researcher delineates the strategies used by horse race gamblers to deal with the consequences of monetary losses. Although racing attracts a large number of regular participants, little is known of their adaptations to the stark reality that ninety-five percent of horse players lose money from gambling. Analysis of participant observation data, drawn from several horse betting groups, revealed that the implementation of appropriate strategies largely determines whether gamblers can maintain participation. While these strategies are specialized, they are similar in principle to those used by non-horse players. The research can facilitate understanding of behavior patterns that persist despite frequent failure.     

Pathological gamblers and their spouses: Problems in interaction

Two parallel self-administered surveys were distributed at three conferences of Gamblers Anonymous. One survey was for members of Gamblers Anonymous and the other was for members of GamAnon. Of the approximately 450 respondents, 302 were completed by the compulsive gambler and the spouse (N=151 couples). This article is a report on these 151 couples. The survey focused on two time periods — the gambler's time of torment, a phase spent in plumbing the depths of dread and despair, and the period of recovery following abstinence from gambling. Specific areas covered focus on the gambler's gambling activities, the spouse's awareness of problems, psychosomatic and emotional difficulties of the couple, sexual relationships, children's attitudes, and financial management. The respondents also indicated their need for specific therapy and workshops which could be provided by professional mental health counselors or at Gamblers Anonymous conferences.Based on a paper presented at the Seventh International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking, Reno, August 22–26, 1987.     

Despite the crisis: The resilience of intercultural nationalism in Catalonia

Interculturalism provides the core framework for immigration‐related policies in Catalonia, while remaining deeply intertwined with Catalan nationalism. We first identify ‘intercultural nationalism’ as the core doctrine through which Catalan nationalist discourse has been articulated in relation to immigration. We trace interculturalism's origins to nationalism in Quebec and argue that, in Catalonia also, regional immigration policies have been constructed in opposition to those of the central state, while attempting to involve immigrants closely in subnational belonging and social cohesion. Second, we investigate whether interculturalism is durable during economic and political crises, arguing that intercultural policies did not change following the economic recession of the 2010s. This harmonises with broader interpretations that de‐emphasise the role of economic factors in ethnic conflicts. In conclusion we note how the continuing resilience of interculturalism in Catalan policies on immigration contrasts sharply with the rise of xenophobia elsewhere.     

Diagnosis and therapy of male gamblers in a university psychiatric hospital

From 1980 to mid-1990 fifty-one gamblers were evaluated and treated at the psychiatric university hospital of Homburg/Saar in Germany. All were men with a mean age of 33.7 years. Gambling had lasted 5.2 years on average. Most patients were motivated to undergo therapy by members of their family. The majority of them had been in psychotherapeutic treatment before. Thirty-six of the 51 patients had committed punishable acts including fraud and embezzlement and, in 7 cases, robbery. The sample could be divided into three clinical subgroups. The first group consisted of patients with severe psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, manic-depressive illness or organic brain disorder. Patients of the second group suffered from serious personality disorders. Those of the third group showed deep-rooted problems in their current relationships.This article is an extension of the special issue on Gambling in Europe edited by Iver Hand, M.D.     

Suicidality and depression among youth gamblers: a preliminary examination of three studies

Both suicide and problem gambling among youth are two growing areas of public health concern, though studies have yet to characterise the relationship between these issues. Youth report higher prevalence rates of problem gambling than adults, but no studies to date have investigated whether they are likewise prone to higher risks of gambling‐related suicidality. This article explores the relationship of depression, suicidality, and problem gambling in youth in three studies of middle and high‐school students (total N = 3,941; males n = 1,937, females n = 2,004) conducted in 1996, 2000, and 2001 in Quebec and Ontario. All studies reported significantly higher rates of suicidality among problem and pathological gamblers as compared to non‐gamblers and social gamblers, irrespective of gender, grade, or level of depression. The implications for future investigations are discussed.     

Recovery,reinstatement, serenity: The personal account of a compulsive gambler

A lawyer, investment banker, and certified public accountant who committed crimes to support his gambling addiction describes the process of reinstatement after suspension, the feelings of frustration and despair, and the support he received from Gamblers Anonymous.Editor's Note: Adherence to the principles of the Gamblers Anonymous program made it incumbent upon the author to maintain his anonymity for this article.     

Aging in a critical world: The search for generational intelligence

Critical gerontology attempts a radical approach to adult ageing drawing on both the personal experience of older adults and their relationship to social and structural inequality. In this paper the author uses personal historical experience to chart a critical approach to intergenerational relationships and draw out lessons and new directions for a revitalised critical approach to adult ageing. The concept of generational intelligence is introduced, as a joint project with another author, and as a bridge toward future intergenerational solidarities.