Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
06:01
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers
Published on: November 9, 2019
Pathological gambling and criminality.
Jorge Oscar Folino1, Patricia Estela Abait
1School of Medicine, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina. folino@med.unlp.edu.ar
Current Opinion in Psychiatry
|July 3, 2009
Summary
Pathological gambling is linked to criminality and violence, particularly in vulnerable populations. Understanding this complex relationship, including impulsiveness, is crucial for effective therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Pathological gambling is a recognized disorder with significant societal implications.
- Criminality and violence are frequently observed comorbidities in individuals with pathological gambling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize recent research (2007-2008) on the nexus between pathological gambling and criminal behavior.
- To explore the bidirectional relationship between pathological gambling, violence, and impulsivity.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of scientific literature published in English and Spanish.
- Analysis of studies focusing on anonymous gamblers, helpline callers, and substance abusers.
Main Results:
- A significant association between pathological gambling and criminality was confirmed across diverse populations.
- Pathological gambling correlates with intimate partner violence and family dysfunction; violence can also precede gambling disorder.
- Impulsivity plays a complex role in the interplay between gambling, criminality, and violence.
Conclusions:
- Recent research has deepened the understanding of the intricate link between pathological gambling and criminality.
- The findings underscore the need for specialized therapeutic approaches, considering gambling disorder severity and associated behaviors.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...
01:25Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder is a complex and multifaceted mental health condition characterized by pervasive instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, emotions, and impulse control. This instability manifests in extreme emotional reactions, fear of abandonment, and self-destructive behaviors. The disorder significantly impacts daily functioning, often leading to distress in both personal and professional domains.
Genetic and Environmental Contributions
Borderline Personality...
Genetic and Environmental Contributions
Borderline Personality...
01:19Introduction to Psychological Disorders
Abnormal behavior, often referred to as mental illness, results from changes in brain function that influence thought patterns, behaviors, and social interactions. Psychologists and psychiatrists typically assess abnormal behavior using three primary criteria: deviance, maladaptation, and personal distress, particularly when these traits persist over long periods.
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
01:27Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the primary classification system for mental health disorders, providing standardized diagnostic criteria for clinicians and researchers. First published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions to reflect evolving psychiatric understanding. The fifth edition, DSM-5, released in 2013, introduced key updates that expanded diagnostic categories and modified diagnostic...
01:24Antisocial Personality Disorder
Antisocial personality disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized by persistent patterns of disregard for the rights and well-being of others. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder exhibit behaviors that include deceitfulness, impulsivity, irresponsibility, aggression, and a profound lack of empathy. These traits often manifest early in life and persist into adulthood, leading to significant personal, social, and legal consequences.
Behavioral Characteristics and...
Behavioral Characteristics and...
01:28Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...