A Network approach of gambling disorder profile with and without related illegal acts

Gambling disorder (GD) is a complex mental health condition that can cause many severe psychological, physical, and social impairment. Illegal acts have been recognized in quite a few cases because of the debts related with the gambling activity. This study used network methodology to visualize the...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Granero, Roser|||0000-0001-6308-3198, Fernández Aranda, Fernando|||0000-0002-2968-9898, Ayala-Rojas, Rocío Elena|||0000-0002-0101-4215, Tapia, Javier|||0000-0001-7938-1480, Nadal i Alemany, Roser|||0000-0001-8972-2525, Vinet-Valdebenito, Gastón, Rosinska, Magda Julia|||0009-0009-9918-7592, Jiménez Murcia, Susana|||0000-0002-3596-8033
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:287134
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/287134
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1007/s11469-023-01199-4
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Gambling disorder
Illegal acts
Network
Nodes
Personality
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Descripción
Sumario:Gambling disorder (GD) is a complex mental health condition that can cause many severe psychological, physical, and social impairment. Illegal acts have been recognized in quite a few cases because of the debts related with the gambling activity. This study used network methodology to visualize the relationships among patients seeking treatment for gambling related problems, separately for the patients with and without illegal behaviors. The aim is to identify the diverse and differentiate mechanisms, as well as the central nodes, that occur within GD patients depending on the presence/absence of illegal acts. The sample included N = 401 patients (age range 18 to 80 years). Network analysis was performed considering the nodes that measure gambling features (the core symptoms based on the DSM-5 taxonomy, global symptom severity, and forms of gambling), psychopathology distress, substance use (tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs), and personality traits. Two separate networks were adjusted for patients with illegal acts (n = 105) and without these behaviors (n = 296). The most relevant nodes among patients with GD plus illegal acts were self-transcendence and the GD DSM-5 symptom "A7-lies to conceal the extent of gambling" (these variables were also identified as the bridge nodes, those with the highest linkage capacity). Among the patients with GD without illegal acts, the node with the greatest authority was the GD DSM-5 symptom "A5-often gambles when feeling distressed" (this was also the variable with the highest linkage capacity). The study provides empirical evidence of the most relevant features and the linkage capacity among patients seeking treatment for problematic gambling, which can support the development of precise plans for treatment and prevention of the risk of GDRIA.