A pilot study of impulsivity and compulsivity in pathological gambling

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Behavioral Science
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Pathological gambling (PG) is a complex disorder.
• Its relationship with impulsivity and obsessionality/compulsivity requires further investigation.
• Understanding these relationships can inform treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between gambling severity, impulsivity, and obsessionality/compulsivity in pathological gamblers.
• To assess the impact of treatment on these variables.
• To determine the predominant factor influencing gambling severity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Pearson correlations and linear regression models.
• Analyzed data from 38 pathological gamblers in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
• Assessed gambling severity using the Pathological Gambling Modification of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (PG-YBOCS).
• Measured impulsivity with the Eysenck Impulsiveness Questionnaire (EIQ) and obsessionality/compulsivity with the Padua Inventory (PI).

Main Results:

• At baseline, PG-YBOCS scores significantly correlated with EIQ Impulsiveness and PI factors I and IV.
• These associations were not significant after adjusting for impulsivity.
• No significant differences in PG-YBOCS changes were observed between paroxetine and placebo groups.
• Changes in PG-YBOCS scores post-treatment correlated with changes in impulsivity scores, independent of paroxetine.

Conclusions:

• Pathological gambling exhibits features of both obsessionality/compulsivity and impulsivity.
• Impulsivity appears to be the predominant factor influencing gambling severity.
• Changes in gambling severity during treatment are most strongly associated with changes in impulsivity.