Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate alexithymia (in relation with depression) in three groups of French gamblers
(n = 186) recruited in their gambling location: at the racetracks (n = 80 males; mean age 28.1 years), in the slot machine
rooms (n = 65; 29 males, 36 females; mean age 34.6 years), and in the traditional gaming rooms (n = 41 males; mean age 36 years).
Gambling behavior was measured by the South Oaks Gambling Screen and DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling, Alexithymia
by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and depression with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-13). For racetracks and slot
machine gambling, pathological gamblers differed from non-pathological gamblers, regarding their alexithymia scores. These
results remained stable after controlling for depression scores among the racetracks gamblers only. The relationship between
alexithymia and depression depends on the type of pathological gambler. These findings are consistent with the idea of identifying
clinically distinct subgroups of gamblers.
(n = 186) recruited in their gambling location: at the racetracks (n = 80 males; mean age 28.1 years), in the slot machine
rooms (n = 65; 29 males, 36 females; mean age 34.6 years), and in the traditional gaming rooms (n = 41 males; mean age 36 years).
Gambling behavior was measured by the South Oaks Gambling Screen and DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling, Alexithymia
by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and depression with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-13). For racetracks and slot
machine gambling, pathological gamblers differed from non-pathological gamblers, regarding their alexithymia scores. These
results remained stable after controlling for depression scores among the racetracks gamblers only. The relationship between
alexithymia and depression depends on the type of pathological gambler. These findings are consistent with the idea of identifying
clinically distinct subgroups of gamblers.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-012-9297-x
- Authors
- Céline Bonnaire, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Psychology, Psychological Institute of Paris Descartes University, Paris Descartes University, 71 Avenue Edouard Vaillant, 92774 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
- Catherine Bungener, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Psychology, Psychological Institute of Paris Descartes University, Paris Descartes University, 71 Avenue Edouard Vaillant, 92774 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
- Isabelle Varescon, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Psychology, Psychological Institute of Paris Descartes University, Paris Descartes University, 71 Avenue Edouard Vaillant, 92774 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350