Title
Client and clinician-rated characteristics of problem gamblers with and without history of gambling-related illegal behaviors
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2018
Department/School
Psychology
Publication Title
Addictive Behaviors
Abstract
Individuals with gambling disorder are at an elevated risk for engaging in gambling-related illegal behaviors. The present study examined client (N = 88) and clinician ratings (N = 30) of client characteristics associated with a history of gambling-related illegal behaviors. We also examined client characteristics associated with history of arrest for a gambling-related crime. Gambling-related illegal behaviors and arrest were common (57.3% and 23.9%, respectively) in the present sample. Clients of younger age, and those with greater gambling-related financial consequences, lifetime alcohol problems, impulsivity, mood symptoms, and daily living role difficulties were more likely to report gambling-related illegal behaviors. Clients who had been arrested for a gambling-related crime were more likely to report daily living and role functioning difficulties and lifetime alcohol problems. Clinicians rated clients with a history of gambling-related illegal behaviors and/or gambling-related arrests as more impulsive, and clinicians also endorsed higher rates of treatment failure among these clients. Both client and clinician report suggested that clients with a history of illegal behaviors may have a variety of comorbid problems that may be a focus of clinical intervention.
Link to Published Version
Recommended Citation
Ellis, J. D., Lister, J. J., Struble, C. A., Cairncross, M., Carr, M. M., & Ledgerwood, D. M. (2018). Client and clinician-rated characteristics of problem gamblers with and without history of gambling-related illegal behaviors. Addictive Behaviors, 84, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.03.017