Abstract
To investigate bipolar traits and impulsiveness in pathological gamblers, compared to non-pathological gamblers and non-gambling general population. To investigate interaction between traits of affective temperament, impulsiveness and the severity of pathological gambling. 139 participants (63 women, 76 men; mean age: 30.32; SD = 10.69) were included in the study. The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale was used to evaluate impulsiveness and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa and San Diego Autoquestionnaire was used to evaluate affective temperamental traits. The participants were also screened for bipolar affective disorder spectrum using the Mood Disorder Questionnaire and the Hypomania Checklist-32.The Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) was used to evaluate the severity of pathologicalgambling in the assessed population. Polish versions of the questionnaires were filled out anonymously via the internet. Pathological gamblers (N =36) scored higher on ‛Motor impulsiveness', ‛Cyclothymic'and ‛Irritability'subscales versus non-pathological gamblers (N =61) and non-gamblers (N = 42). Cyclothymic and motor impulsiveness significantly predicted CPGI scores. Motor impulsiveness was found to moderate the influence of cyclothymic affective temperamental traits on pathological gambling. Our data support prior reports of higher impulsivity traits and traits from the bipolar spectrum among pathological gamblers. The results indicate that the influence of affective temperamental traits on pathological gambling severity is moderated by impulsiveness.
Highlights
Gambling is a widely spread activity across Poland
The results indicate that the influence of affective temperamental traits on pathological gambling severity is moderated by impulsiveness
Education and mean age of participants who did not engage in gambling (NG), participants engaging in non-pathological gambling (NPG), and participants engaging in pathological gambling (PG) with a comparison of intergroup differences in gender and education and age (ANOVA)
Summary
Gambling is a widely spread activity across Poland. According to the CBOS (Centrum Badania Opinii Społecznej – Centre for Public Opinion Research) report, every third Pole (34.2%) over 15 years of age has played a game for money in a last year [1]. Pathological gambling is a disorder based on recurrent gambling behavior that gradually dominate the person’s life to the detriment of social, occupational, material, and family commitments [2]. Today pathological gambling is classified as a behavioral addiction, in DSM-III it was described as a impulse control disorder [3]. In Poland, about 16% of people tend to show symptoms, indicating a heightened risk of pathological gambling. It is estimated that 2.2% of Polish people gambled pathologically in 2014, and the rising tendency can be observed – in 2012 the number reached 1% [1]. Pathological gambling is related to a number of comorbidities, among them the most frequent are substance addiction (58% of pathological gamblers), affective disorders (38%) and anxiety disorders (38%) [4]. The comparison of the most reliable screening tests for pathological gambling considered following factors: specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values, and showed that the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) is the most suitable tool for testing in Polish population [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
