Beyond description: Understanding gender differences in problem gambling (original) (raw)
Online Publication Date:
01 Sep 2012
Publication Date:
01 Sep 2012
Article Category:
Research Article
Abstract
Background and aims
Though women make up roughly one third of all problem gamblers, research has typically focused on male problem gamblers. Recent research has started to shift its attention toward the importance of gender. However, studies rarely attempt to understand gender differences in problem gambling or subject these differences to thorough multivariate analyses. To address some of the gaps in our knowledge of gender differences, we examine whether patterns of gambling behavior and psychological factors mediate the relationship between gender and problem gambling.
Methods
We use logistic multiple regression to analyze two large Canadian datasets — the 2005 Ontario Prevalence Survey and the 2007 Canadian Community Health Survey.
Results
Variables found to mediate the relationship between gender and problem gambling are the type(s) of game(s) played (in the 2005 Ontario Prevalence Survey) and the number of games played (in the 2007 Canadian Community Health Survey).
Conclusions
Men are more likely to be problem gamblers than women, and this gender difference is understandable in terms of differences in patterns of gambling behavior. We conclude that men experience problems because they play riskier games and women experience problems because they prefer chance-based games, which are associated with significantly higher odds of problem gambling. We specify the three main ways that women's reasons for gambling — to escape or for empowerment - translate into chance-based games.
ProCite
RefWorks
Reference Manager
- T. O. Afifi B. J. Cox P. J. Martens J. Sareen M. W. Enns 2010 Demographic and social variables associated with problem gambling among men and women in Canada _Psychiatry Research 178 395 400.
T. O. Afifi B. J. Cox P. J. Martens J. Sareen M. W. Enns 2010 Demographic and social variables associated with problem gambling among men and women in Canada Psychiatry Research 178 395 400.
)| false - T. O. Afifi B. J. Cox P. J. Martens J. Sareen M. W. Enns 2010 Relationship between problem gambling and mental and physical health correlates among a nationally representative sample of Canadian women _Canadian Journal of Public Health 101 2 171 175.
T. O. Afifi B. J. Cox P. J. Martens J. Sareen M. W. Enns 2010 Relationship between problem gambling and mental and physical health correlates among a nationally representative sample of Canadian women Canadian Journal of Public Health 101 2 171 175.
)| false - D. T. Barry M. A. Steinberg M. N. Potenza 2009 Differences in characteristics of Asian American and White problem gamblers calling a gambling helpline _CNS Spectrums 14 2 83 91.
D. T. Barry M. A. Steinberg M. N. Potenza 2009 Differences in characteristics of Asian American and White problem gamblers calling a gambling helpline CNS Spectrums 14 2 83 91.
)| false - C. Blanco D. S. Hasin N. Petry F. S. Stinson B. F. Grant 2006 Sex differences in subclinical and DSM-IV pathological gambling: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions _Psychological Medicine 36 943 953.
C. Blanco D. S. Hasin N. Petry F. S. Stinson B. F. Grant 2006 Sex differences in subclinical and DSM-IV pathological gambling: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Psychological Medicine 36 943 953.
)| false - A. Blaszczynski L. Nower 2002 A pathways model of problem and pathological gambling _Addiction 97 487.
A. Blaszczynski L. Nower 2002 A pathways model of problem and pathological gambling Addiction 97 487.
)| false - Boughton, R. (1999). The voices of women who gamble. _Celebrating international Women's Day: Learning from each other (Presentation). Retrieved May 5, 2012, from http://sano.camh.net/women/gamblwin.htm.
Boughton, R. (1999). The voices of women who gamble. Celebrating international Women's Day: Learning from each other (Presentation). Retrieved May 5, 2012, from http://sano.camh.net/women/gamblwin.htm.
)| false - R. Boughton O. Falenchuk 2007 Vulnerability and comorbidity factors of female problem gambling _Journal of Gambling Studies 23 323 334.
R. Boughton O. Falenchuk 2007 Vulnerability and comorbidity factors of female problem gambling Journal of Gambling Studies 23 323 334.
)| false - I. S. Brooker I. P. Clara B. J. Cox 2009 The Canadian Problem Gambling Index: Factor structure and associations with psychopathology in a nationally representative sample _Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science 41 2 109 114.
I. S. Brooker I. P. Clara B. J. Cox 2009 The Canadian Problem Gambling Index: Factor structure and associations with psychopathology in a nationally representative sample Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science 41 2 109 114.
)| false - S. Brown L. Coventry 1997 _Queen of hearts: The needs of women with gambling problems Financial and Consumer Rights Council Melbourne, Australia.
S. Brown L. Coventry 1997 Queen of hearts: The needs of women with gambling problems Financial and Consumer Rights Council Melbourne, Australia.
)| false - P. Bunkle 2009 Women and gambling: What can be learned from the New Zealand experience? A women's studies approach _Women's Studies Journal 23 1 36 45.
P. Bunkle 2009 Women and gambling: What can be learned from the New Zealand experience? A women's studies approach Women's Studies Journal 23 1 36 45.
)| false - E. Casey 2008 _Women, pleasure and the gambling experience Ashgate Publishing Surrey, UK.
E. Casey 2008 Women, pleasure and the gambling experience Ashgate Publishing Surrey, UK.
)| false - B. J. Cox N. Yu T. O. Affifi R. Ladouceur 2005 A national survey of gambling problems in Canada _Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 50 181 185.
B. J. Cox N. Yu T. O. Affifi R. Ladouceur 2005 A national survey of gambling problems in Canada Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 50 181 185.
)| false - B. R. Crisp S. A. Thomas A. C. Jackson S. Smith J. Borrell W. Ho T. A. Holt 2000 Sex differences in the treatment of problem gamblers _Research on Social Work Practice 10 229 242.
B. R. Crisp S. A. Thomas A. C. Jackson S. Smith J. Borrell W. Ho T. A. Holt 2000 Sex differences in the treatment of problem gamblers Research on Social Work Practice 10 229 242.
)| false - R. A. Desai M. N. Potenza 2008 Gender differences in the associations between past-year gambling problems and psychiatric disorders _Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 43 178 183.
R. A. Desai M. N. Potenza 2008 Gender differences in the associations between past-year gambling problems and psychiatric disorders Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 43 178 183.
)| false - Echeburua, E., Gonzalez-Ortega, I., de Corral, P. & Polo-Lopez, R. (2010). Clinical gender differences among adult pathological gamblers seeking treatment. _E-Journal of Gambling Studies, 1-13.
Echeburua, E., Gonzalez-Ortega, I., de Corral, P. & Polo-Lopez, R. (2010). Clinical gender differences among adult pathological gamblers seeking treatment. E-Journal of Gambling Studies, 1-13.
)| false - J. Ferris H. Wynne 2001 _The Canadian Problem Gambling Index: Final Report Canadian Centre of Substance Abuse Ottawa.
J. Ferris H. Wynne 2001 The Canadian Problem Gambling Index: Final Report Canadian Centre of Substance Abuse Ottawa.
)| false - J. E. Grant M. G. Kushner S. W. Kim 2002 Pathological gambling and alcohol use disorder _Alcohol Research and Health 26 2 143 150.
J. E. Grant M. G. Kushner S. W. Kim 2002 Pathological gambling and alcohol use disorder Alcohol Research and Health 26 2 143 150.
)| false - N. Hing H. Breen 2001 Profiling lady luck: An empirical study of gambling and problem gambling amongst female club members _Journal of Gambling Studies 17 1 47 69.
N. Hing H. Breen 2001 Profiling lady luck: An empirical study of gambling and problem gambling amongst female club members Journal of Gambling Studies 17 1 47 69.
)| false - D. C. Hodgins N. el-Guebaly D. M. Casey D. P. Schopflocher G. J. Smith R. J. Williams R. T. Wood 2010 The association between childhood maltreatment and gambling problems in a community sample of adult men and women _Psychology of Addictive Behaviours 24 3 548 554.
D. C. Hodgins N. el-Guebaly D. M. Casey D. P. Schopflocher G. J. Smith R. J. Williams R. T. Wood 2010 The association between childhood maltreatment and gambling problems in a community sample of adult men and women Psychology of Addictive Behaviours 24 3 548 554.
)| false - A. Ibanez C. Blanco P. Moreryra J. Saiz-Ruiz 2003 Gender differences in pathological gambling _Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 64 295 301.
A. Ibanez C. Blanco P. Moreryra J. Saiz-Ruiz 2003 Gender differences in pathological gambling Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 64 295 301.
)| false - G. T. Ladd N. M. Petry 2002 Gender differences among pathological gamblers seeking treatment _Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology 10 3 302 309.
G. T. Ladd N. M. Petry 2002 Gender differences among pathological gamblers seeking treatment Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology 10 3 302 309.
)| false - H. Lesieur S. B. Blume 1991 When lady luck loses: Women and compulsive gambling N. van den Bergh _Feminist Perspectives on Addictions Springer New York 181 197.
H. Lesieur S. B. Blume 1991 When lady luck loses: Women and compulsive gambling N. van den Bergh Feminist Perspectives on Addictions Springer New York 181 197.
)| false - J. Li 2007 Women's ways of gambling and gender-specific research _Sociological Inquiry 7 4 626 636.
J. Li 2007 Women's ways of gambling and gender-specific research Sociological Inquiry 7 4 626 636.
)| false - M. E. Mark H. R. Lesieur 1992 A feminist critique of problem gambling research _British Journal of Addiction 87 549 565.
M. E. Mark H. R. Lesieur 1992 A feminist critique of problem gambling research British Journal of Addiction 87 549 565.
)| false - K. Marshall H. Wynne 2004 Against the odds: A profile of at-risk and problem gamblers _Canadian Social Trends 11-008 25 29.
K. Marshall H. Wynne 2004 Against the odds: A profile of at-risk and problem gamblers Canadian Social Trends 11-008 25 29.
)| false - L. Nower A. Blaszczynski 2006 Characteristics and gender differences among self-excluded casino problem gamblers: Missouri data _Journal of Gambling Studies 22 1 81 99.
L. Nower A. Blaszczynski 2006 Characteristics and gender differences among self-excluded casino problem gamblers: Missouri data Journal of Gambling Studies 22 1 81 99.
)| false - I. Perez de Castro A. Ibanez P. Torres J. Saiz-Ruiz J. Fernandez-Piqueras 1997 Genetic association study between pathological gambling and a functional DNA polymorphism at the D4 receptor gene _Pharmacogenetics 7 345 348.
I. Perez de Castro A. Ibanez P. Torres J. Saiz-Ruiz J. Fernandez-Piqueras 1997 Genetic association study between pathological gambling and a functional DNA polymorphism at the D4 receptor gene Pharmacogenetics 7 345 348.
)| false - N. M. Petry K. L. Steinberg 2005 Childhood maltreatment in male and female pathological gamblers _Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 19 2 226 229.
N. M. Petry K. L. Steinberg 2005 Childhood maltreatment in male and female pathological gamblers Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 19 2 226 229.
)| false - Piquette, N. & Stevens, R. (2012). _Trying to understand the female problem gambler: Issues and mediating factors. In 2012 Alberta Gambling Research Institute Conference, Banff, Alberta, April 12-14.
Piquette, N. & Stevens, R. (2012). Trying to understand the female problem gambler: Issues and mediating factors. In 2012 Alberta Gambling Research Institute Conference, Banff, Alberta, April 12-14.
)| false - M. N. Potenza M. A. Steinberg S. D. McLaughlin R. Wu B. J. Rounsaville S. S. O'Malley 2001 Gender-related differences in the characteristics of problem gamblers using a gambling helpline _American Journal of Psychiatry 158 1500 1505.
M. N. Potenza M. A. Steinberg S. D. McLaughlin R. Wu B. J. Rounsaville S. S. O'Malley 2001 Gender-related differences in the characteristics of problem gamblers using a gambling helpline American Journal of Psychiatry 158 1500 1505.
)| false - S. M. Specker G. A. Carlson K. M. Edmonson P. E. Johnson M. Marcotte 1996 Psychopathology in pathological gamblers seeking treatment _Journal of Gambling Studies 12 67 81.
S. M. Specker G. A. Carlson K. M. Edmonson P. E. Johnson M. Marcotte 1996 Psychopathology in pathological gamblers seeking treatment Journal of Gambling Studies 12 67 81.
)| false - Statistics Canada 2008 _Health Reports. Catalogue no. 82-003-X 19 2 84.
Statistics Canada 2008 Health Reports. Catalogue no. 82-003-X 19 2 84.
)| false - H. Tavares S. S. Martins D. S. S. Lobo C. M. Silveira V. Gentil D. C. Hodgins 2003 Factors at play in the faster progression for female pathological gamblers: An exploratory analysis _Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 64 422 438.
H. Tavares S. S. Martins D. S. S. Lobo C. M. Silveira V. Gentil D. C. Hodgins 2003 Factors at play in the faster progression for female pathological gamblers: An exploratory analysis Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 64 422 438.
)| false - R. A. Volberg 2004 Fifteen years of problem gambling prevalence research: What do we know? Where do we go? _Journal of Gambling Issues 10 1 19.
R. A. Volberg 2004 Fifteen years of problem gambling prevalence research: What do we know? Where do we go? Journal of Gambling Issues 10 1 19.
)| false - G. J. Walker T. D. Hinch A. J. Weighill 2005 Inter- and intra-gender similarities and differences in motivations for casino gambling _Leisure Sciences 27 2 111 130.
G. J. Walker T. D. Hinch A. J. Weighill 2005 Inter- and intra-gender similarities and differences in motivations for casino gambling Leisure Sciences 27 2 111 130.
)| false - J. W. Welte G. M. Barnes W. F. Wieczorek M. C. O. Tidwell J. Parker 2002 Gambling participation in the U.S. — Results from a national survey _Journal of Gambling Studies 18 4 313 337.
J. W. Welte G. M. Barnes W. F. Wieczorek M. C. O. Tidwell J. Parker 2002 Gambling participation in the U.S. — Results from a national survey Journal of Gambling Studies 18 4 313 337.
)| false - J. W. Welte G. M. Barnes W. G. Wieczorek M. C. O. Tidwell J. H. Hoffman 2007 Type of gambling and availability as risk factors for problem gambling: A tobit regression analysis by age and gender _International Gambling Studies 7 2 183 198.
J. W. Welte G. M. Barnes W. G. Wieczorek M. C. O. Tidwell J. H. Hoffman 2007 Type of gambling and availability as risk factors for problem gambling: A tobit regression analysis by age and gender International Gambling Studies 7 2 183 198.
)| false - Wiebe, J., Mun, P. & Kauffman, N. (2006). Gambling and problem gambling in Ontario in 2005. _Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre.
Wiebe, J., Mun, P. & Kauffman, N. (2006). Gambling and problem gambling in Ontario in 2005. Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre.
)| false