The factorial structure of pathological gambling

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Pathological gambling is often classified as an impulse control disorder.
• Comorbidity with Antisocial Personality Disorder is noted, but empirical evidence for elevated impulsivity in pathological gamblers is mixed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the factorial structure of pathological gambling.
• To examine relationships between impulsivity, psychopathy, Antisocial Personality Disorder criteria, psychological distress, and criminal behavior in pathological gamblers.

Main Methods:

• Principal components analysis was employed.
• The study included 115 pathological gamblers, 80 treatment-seeking gamblers, and 35 Gamblers Anonymous attendees.

Main Results:

• Four primary factors emerged: psychological distress, sensation seeking, crime and liveliness, and impulsive-antisocial.
• The impulsive-antisocial factor demonstrated associations with gambling behavior and indicators of poor psychosocial functioning.

Conclusions:

• Pathological gambling appears to comprise discrete and reproducible factorial structures.
• An impulsive-antisocial dimension is a significant component associated with gambling behavior and negative psychosocial outcomes.