Do male and female gamblers have the same burden of adversity over their life course?

Abstract

The objective of this research is to investigate gender difference and the burden of adversity during the life course of people who develop gambling problems. A sample of 86 adult participants met the criteria for at-risk problem gambling over the last 5 years. Data were obtained from informants during semi-structured face-to-face interviews, using SCID I and II, SOGS, Module K and a recount of life trajectories methodology. The results showed a high level of adversity throughout the life trajectories of the men and women studied. The results indicated that the major load of mental health disorders, the presence of anxiety disorders and co-morbid mental health disorders are more significant among women. Results also indicated a significant presence of violence in the lives of both men and women during early childhood and adolescence. During adulthood, women are more likely to be victims of intimate partner or marital violence whereas men tended to cumulate difficulties in social fields and especially in their professional lives. This significant burden of adversity creates a number of difficulties which makes it complicated to isolate gambling activities. Clinicians might have difficulty detecting female gamblers during consultation, especially when they present with co-morbid mental health disorders and violence issues.

Keywords::

• gambling
• life course
• burden of adversity
• psychopathology
• gender

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mélina Andronicos

Mélina Andronicos has been working as a research coordinator in Community Psychiatry Service at the University Hospital of Lausanne for the last nine years. She is especially interested in gambling and suicide behaviours.

Guy Beauchamp

Guy Beauchamp is a psychoeducation and psychology professor at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. His field of expertise is in statistical analysis.

Mélanie DiMambro

Mélanie DiMambro has worked as a research assistant at McGill Group for Suicide Studies.

Marie Robert

Marie Robert is a psychoeducation and psychology professor at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. Her research focuses on the study of vulnerable youth.

Jacques Besson

Jacques Besson is a medical professor at the University of Lausanne’s Faculty of Biology and Medicine. He is the director of the Community Psychiatry Service at the University Hospital Center in Lausanne.

Monique Séguin

Monique Séguin is a psychology professor at the Université du Québec en Outaouais and a member of the McGill Group on Suicide Studies. She is associated with other research groups including Fernand-Seguin Research Centre and Pierre-Janet Hospital. Her research focuses on the study of crisis intervention, post-suicide bereavement and suicide trajectories.