Abstract
Background and aims: Published research on the relationship between disordered gambling and schizophrenia is limited. However, existing data suggest that individuals with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder may have a high prevalence of co-occurring disordered gambling. As such, effective strategies for screening and assessing gambling-related problems in individuals with psychosis are needed. The goal of this study was to explore the correlates of increased gambling frequency and chasing behavior, a hallmark feature of gambling disorder, in a sample of individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. Methods: Data from 336 participants who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were used to examine differences between non-gamblers, infrequent gamblers, frequent gamblers who do not report chasing, and frequent gamblers who report chasing on a variety of associated features and symptoms of schizophrenia and disordered gambling. Results and discussion: The results of the study support the conclusion that chasing behavior in individuals with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder lies on a continuum of severity, with more frequent gamblers endorsing greater chasing. Chasing was also associated with indicators of lower functioning across co-occurring disorders, such as greater problems with alcohol and drugs, greater gambling involvement, and a family history of gambling problems. The findings from the study suggest the utility of screening for chasing behavior as a brief and efficient strategy for assessing risk of gambling problems in individuals with psychotic-spectrum disorders.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 375-383 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Behavioral Addictions |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Funding sources: This work was supported in part by the Connecticut Mental Health Center, the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, a Large Grant and a Center of Excellence in Gambling Research Grant from the National Center for Responsible Gaming, the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, and the United States Veterans Administration. The funding sources had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.
Funding Information:
Conflict of interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. Dr. MNP has consulted for and advised Shire, INSYS, Rivermend Health, Opiant/Lightlake Therapeutics and Jazz Pharmaceuticals; received research support from the National Institutes of Health, Veteran’s Administration, Mohegan Sun Casino, the National Center for Responsible Gaming and its affiliated Institute for Research on Gambling Disorders, and Pfizer; participated in surveys, mailings, or telephone consultations related to drug addiction, impulse control disorders or other health topics; consulted for law offices and the federal public defender’s office in issues related to impulse control disorders; provided clinical care in the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Problem Gambling Services Program; performed grant reviews for the National Institutes of Health and other agencies; has guest-edited journal sections; given academic lectures in grand rounds, CME events, and other clinical/scientific venues; and generated books or chapters for publishers of mental health texts. Other authors report no disclosures. The views presented in this manuscript represent those of the authors and not necessarily those of the funding agencies who had no input into the content of the manuscript.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Akademiai Kiado Rt. All rights reserved.
ASJC Scopus Subject Areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
