Associations of neurodevelopmental traits and adverse childhood experiences with problem gambling: A nationwide...

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a recognized related factor for gambling problems. Although ADHD frequently co-occurs with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), the interaction of these factors on gambling has not been fully explored in a large general population sample. We aimed to investigate the associations of ADHD traits, ASD traits, and ACEs with problem gambling.

Using data from an internet survey that includes 32,000 Japanese participants, we evaluated the associations of ADHD traits, ASD traits, ACEs scores, and their interaction with problem gambling ratio through multivariable logistic regression analysis controlling for 14 confounders. We used the Problem Gambling Severity Index to assess problem gambling, the Japanese version of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) to assess ADHD traits, the ten-item Japanese version of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) to assess ASD traits, and the ten-item Japanese version of the questionnaire to assess ACEs.

Problem gamblers exhibited significantly higher weighted rates of ASRS positive, AQ-10 positive, and high ACEs score. The weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that ASRS positive, AQ-10 positive, and high ACEs score were significantly associated with problem gambling. Additionally, a significant interaction between ASRS positive and AQ-10 positive was observed.

ADHD traits, ASD traits, and high ACEs scores were associated with higher odds of problem gambling. The co-occurrence of ADHD traits and ASD traits showed a negative multiplicative interaction on the odds ratio of problem gambling.