Céline Bonnaire1, Servane Barrault2, Ania Aïte3, Mathieu Cassotti3, Sylvain Moutier1, Isabelle Varescon1. 1. Paris Descartes University, Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Processes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France. 2. François Rabelais de Tours University, Laboratory of Ages of Life Psychology, Tours, France. 3. CNRS Unit 3521, Laboratory for the Psychology of Child Development and Education, Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to see if: (i) alexithymia is associated with PG and with the severity of gambling behavior; (ii) alexithymia is associated with strategic and non-strategic gambling. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-six gamblers were recruited in different gambling locations. First, pathological gamblers (PGs) (n = 106) were compared to non-pathological gamblers (NPGs) (n = 120). Second, strategic gamblers (n = 92) were compared to non-strategic gamblers (n = 96). RESULTS: After controlling for being or not depressed, PGs have significantly higher alexithymia scores. Alexithymia is positively correlated to the intensity of gambling behavior and associated with PG: being alexithymic (OR = 4.21, SEB = .32, p < .001), "difficulty identifying feelings" (OR = 1.07, SEB = .03, p = .038), and "externally-oriented thinking" (OR = 1.07, SEB = .03, p = .026) factors. Nevertheless, while alexithymia is associated with PG in strategic gamblers (being alexithymic (OR = 6.80, SEB = .50 p < .001) and "difficulty identifying feelings" (OR = 1.12, SEB = .05 p = .026) factor), this is not the case in non-strategic gamblers. In the latter, only depression is associated with PG (OR = 3.43, SEB = .50 p = .013). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results highlight the importance of taking into account the gambling type in the relationship between alexithymia, depression, and PG. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: In non-strategic PGs, specific therapies targeting depression could be appropriate, while for strategic PGs, specific psychotherapeutic techniques like body-centered psychotherapy could help them to differentiate feelings from bodily sensations. (Am J Addict 2017;26:152-160).
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to see if: (i) alexithymia is associated with PG and with the severity of gambling behavior; (ii) alexithymia is associated with strategic and non-strategic gambling. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-six gamblers were recruited in different gambling locations. First, pathological gamblers (PGs) (n = 106) were compared to non-pathological gamblers (NPGs) (n = 120). Second, strategic gamblers (n = 92) were compared to non-strategic gamblers (n = 96). RESULTS: After controlling for being or not depressed, PGs have significantly higher alexithymia scores. Alexithymia is positively correlated to the intensity of gambling behavior and associated with PG: being alexithymic (OR = 4.21, SEB = .32, p < .001), "difficulty identifying feelings" (OR = 1.07, SEB = .03, p = .038), and "externally-oriented thinking" (OR = 1.07, SEB = .03, p = .026) factors. Nevertheless, while alexithymia is associated with PG in strategic gamblers (being alexithymic (OR = 6.80, SEB = .50 p < .001) and "difficulty identifying feelings" (OR = 1.12, SEB = .05 p = .026) factor), this is not the case in non-strategic gamblers. In the latter, only depression is associated with PG (OR = 3.43, SEB = .50 p = .013). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results highlight the importance of taking into account the gambling type in the relationship between alexithymia, depression, and PG. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: In non-strategic PGs, specific therapies targeting depression could be appropriate, while for strategic PGs, specific psychotherapeutic techniques like body-centered psychotherapy could help them to differentiate feelings from bodily sensations. (Am J Addict 2017;26:152-160).
Authors: Marta Sancho; Marta de Gracia; Roser Granero; Sara González-Simarro; Isabel Sánchez; Fernando Fernández-Aranda; Joan Trujols; Núria Mallorquí-Bagué; Gemma Mestre-Bach; Amparo Del Pino-Gutiérrez; Teresa Mena-Moreno; Cristina Vintró-Alcaraz; Trevor Steward; Neus Aymamí; Mónica Gómez-Peña; José Manuel Menchón; Susana Jiménez-Murcia Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2019-09-11 Impact factor: 4.157
Authors: Marta Sancho; Céline Bonnaire; Silvia Costa; Gemma Casalé-Salayet; Javier Vera-Igual; Rita Cristina Rodríguez; Santiago Duran-Sindreu; Joan Trujols Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-03 Impact factor: 3.390