Abstract
BackgroundGambling Disorder (GD) has been associated with considerable mental and physical health risks in clinical samples. The paper determines risk factors, mental and physical health burden of probable GD for both men and women in the general population.MethodsIn the Gutenberg Health Study, a population-based sample of N = 11,875 aged 40–80 years was analyzed regarding lifetime probable GD prevalence (measured with the Lie/ Bet Questionnaire) and a wide array of health variables including standardized measures of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms.ResultsProbable GD lifetime prevalence was 2.1%, with higher rates among 1st generation migrants (5.5%; vs. non-migrants 1.6%), men (3.0%; vs. women 1.2%), and the sample’s youngest age decade (40–49 y., 3.1%). Lifetime probable GD was associated with current work-related, family and financial stressors as well as unhealthy behavior (smoking, extended screen time), and lifetime legal offenses. In men, but not in women, increased rates of imprisonment, mental and somatic symptoms were found.ConclusionsGD is a major public health problem with serious social, mental and physical health burden. Epidemiological findings underscore the preponderance of GD among 1st generation migrants and men. Findings are consistent with a vicious cycle of family, work related and financial stress factors, and mental and physical burden, particularly in men. Demographic risk factors may help to target specific prevention and treatment efforts.
Highlights
Gambling Disorder (GD) has been associated with considerable mental and physical health risks in clinical samples
The PAGE study [3], the only German population survey to date that measured lifetime prevalence of gambling disorder (GD), found rates of 1.0% (CI 0.7–1.4%) for pathological gambling and an additional 1.4% (CI 1.1–1.8%) for problematic gambling according to DSM-IV criteria
Prevalence Two hundred thirty-five respondents were classified as individuals with probable GD according to the Lie/ Bet Questionnaire (LBQ), of which 168 (71.5%) were male and 67 (28.5%) were female
Summary
Gambling Disorder (GD) has been associated with considerable mental and physical health risks in clinical samples. The PAGE study [3], the only German population survey to date that measured lifetime prevalence of gambling disorder (GD), found rates of 1.0% (CI 0.7–1.4%) for pathological gambling and an additional 1.4% (CI 1.1–1.8%) for problematic gambling according to DSM-IV criteria. The PAGE study [3] focused on comprehensive assessment of gambling behavior, GD criteria, and comorbidity, neglecting associations such as psychosocial and somatic risk factors and burden. The present study marks the first lifetime GD prevalence investigation based on a German general population sample that includes comprehensive assessments of psychosocial, somatic, and behavioral aspects, and the first to differentiate MB by first and second generation
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