Citation

Cowie ME, Kim HS, Hodgins DC, McGrath DS, Scanavino MDT, Tavares H. J. Behav. Addict. 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-12.

Affiliation

5Impulse Control Disorders and Behavioral Addictions Outpatient Unit, Institute and Department of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Akadémiai Kiadó)

DOI

10.1556/2006.8.2019.35

PMID

31416337

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gambling disorder (GD) and compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) may commonly co-occur. Yet, the psychiatric correlates of these co-occurring disorders are an untapped area of empirical scrutiny, limiting our understanding of appropriate treatment modalities for this dual-diagnosed population. This study examined the demographic and clinical correlates of CSB in a sample of treatment-seeking individuals with GD (N = 368) in São Paulo, Brazil.

METHODS: Psychiatrists and psychologists conducted semi-structured clinical interviews to identify rates of CSB and other comorbid psychiatric disorders. The Shorter PROMIS Questionnaire was administered to assess additional addictive behaviors. The TCI and BIS-11 were used to assess facets of personality. Demographic and gambling variables were also assessed.

RESULTS: Of the total sample, 24 (6.5%) met diagnostic criteria for comorbid CSB (GD + CSB). Compared to those without compulsive sexual behaviors (GD - CSB), individuals with GD + CSB were more likely to be younger and male. No differences in gambling involvement emerged. Individuals with GD + CSB tended to have higher rates of psychiatric disorders (depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bulimia nervosa) and engage in more addictive behaviors (problematic alcohol use, drug use, and exercise) compared to GD - CSB. Those with GD + CSB evidenced less self-directedness, cooperativeness, self-transcendence, and greater motor impulsivity. Logistic regression showed that the predictors of GD + CSB, which remained in the final model, were being male, a diagnosis of bulimia, greater gambling severity, and less self-transcendence.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Given those with GD + CSB evidence greater psychopathology, greater attention should be allocated to this often under studied comorbid condition to ensure adequate treatment opportunities.

Language: en

Keywords

clinical correlates; comorbidity; compulsive sexual behaviors; gambling disorder