Problematic gambling and psychotic-like experiences: Findings from Japan

Comparatively little is known about the association between problematic gambling and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). This study examined the association among adults in the Japanese general population and whether this association differs between men and women.

Data were analyzed from 3701 individuals that were obtained in an online survey. Information on problematic gambling was assessed with the Japanese short version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen Revised (SOGS-R), while PLEs were measured with the PRIME Screen-Revised (PS-R). Logistic regression was used to examine associations.

In an analysis adjusted for sociodemographic, self-rated health and mental health variables, problematic gambling was associated with significantly higher odds for PLEs (OR: 1.64, 95%CI: 1.07-2.50). When the analysis was stratified by sex, problematic gambling was significantly associated with PLEs in women (OR: 2.80, 95%CI: 1.33-5.89) but not men (OR: 1.32, 95%CI: 0.78-2.22) in the fully adjusted model. No effect modification by sex was found.

Problematic gambling is associated with higher odds for PLEs among adults in Japan. More research is now needed to determine which factors are associated with the co-occurrence of problematic gambling and PLEs and whether this comorbidity is associated with a higher risk for negative gambling-related and other outcomes.