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. 2024 Aug;21(4):313-322.
doi: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20240407.

Gender Differences in Gambling Disorder: Results from an Italian Multicentric Study

Nicolaja Girone  1 , Ivan Limosani  2 , Camilla Ciliberti  2 , Martina Turco  2 , Laura Longo  2 , Maria Adele Colletti  2 , Maddalena Cocchi  1 , Gianmaria Zita  1 , Mara Ida Fiocchi  1 , Beatrice Benatti  1   3 , Caterina Viganò  1 , Mauro Percudani  2 , Bernardo Dell'Osso  1   3   4
Affiliations

Gender Differences in Gambling Disorder: Results from an Italian Multicentric Study

Nicolaja Girone et al. Clin Neuropsychiatry. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: Although gender-specific evidence on Gambling Disorder (GD) is still limited, some studies reported specific differences, mainly in psychopathological profiles, gambling behavior patterns, and pathogenesis. In order to further examine the role of gender in GD, we conducted a multicenter investigation in a sample of Italian outpatients.

Method: One hundred-four outpatients with a diagnosis of GD based on DSM-5 criteria were consecutively recruited at two clinics based in Milan. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were collected for the whole sample and analyzed for the effect of gender. The severity of illness was assessed using the Canadian Problem Gambling Index and the Gambling Attitudes and Beliefs (GABS).

Results: Among females, a significantly higher mean age (52.23 ± 10.95 vs. 40.96 ± 15.76; p=0.005) and older age at illness onset emerged (43.5 ± 11.92 vs. 29.22 ± 14.26; p<0.001). Females showed a significantly higher rate of psychiatric comorbidities, lifetime suicide ideation, stressful events at GD onset, and positive family history for GD compared to males. A predictive effect of male gender was found for the GABS questionnaires by performing a linear regression model, with males showing a higher risk to reach higher scores compared to females (B= 11.833; t=2.177; p=0.034).

Conclusions: Our study seems to confirm the hypotheses that gender in GD may influence psychopathological profiles, course, and comorbidity. GD in female gender is frequently a comorbid condition with other specific clinical characteristics compared to males. Identifying specific clinical factors by gender may prompt more focus on the public health of women in relation to gambling, while still recognizing that males are at-risk of earlier gambling problems. These findings should be considered in therapeutic perspectives.

Keywords: gambling disorder; gender differences; pathological gambling; psychopathology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: Prof. Dell’Osso has received Grant/Research Support from LivaNova, Inc., Angelini, and Lundbeck, and Lecture Honoraria from Angelini, Janssen, Otzuka, and Lundbeck, Viatris and Bromatech. Dr. Benatti has received lecture honoraria from Angelini, Lundbeck, Janssen, Rovi. Dr. Percudani has received Grant/Research Support from Janssen, Otsuka, Lundbeck e Angelini. Drs. Girone, Limosani, Ciliberti, Turco, Longo, Colletti, Cocchi, Zita, Fiocchi, Viganò have nothing to declare..

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Comparison of socio-demographic and clinical variables between female and male GD patients
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Comparison of clinical variables between female and male GD patients
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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