The profile of vulnerable groups in the context of the growth of gambling in Kazakhstan: social and demographic risk factors

Background Pathological gambling (PG) is an important public health problem. We assessed the prevalence of PG and problem (at-risk) gambling in a random sample of Iowa adults and compared the results to survey data collected in 1989 and 1995. The goal of this study was to examine whether continued expansion of gambling venues is associated with increased rates of problematic gambling behavior. Methods A random digit dialing telephone screening was conducted in eastern Iowa of men and women age =18. Respondents were administered the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) to assess lifetime gambling behavior. Demographic and clinical variables were collected. Results A total of 356 respondents (147 men, 209 women) completed the SOGS, and all reported lifetime gambling participation. PG (SOGS =5) was found in 5 (1.4%) and problem gambling (SOGS = 3, 4) in 8 (2.2%) respondents. Disordered gambling (SOGS =3) was found in 13 (3.6%) respondents. Risk factors for disordered gambling included age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.64 per 10-year age increase), income (OR = 0.82 per $10,000 increase), minority group status (OR = 5.75), number of lifetime gambling activities (OR = 1.27), and having ever gambled =$100 (OR = 13.3). Overall gambling participation was significantly less in the current sample, compared with data collected in 1995. Conclusions Recent gambling participation was less than in 1995, despite the continued expansion of gaming opportunities. Disordered gambling was associated with younger age, lower income, and minority group status. The results are consistent with Shaffer's “adaptation” hypothesis, which posits that following an initial increase in gambling participation, problematic gambling stabilizes at a lower level.

In this first study on gambling in Brazil, pathological and non-pathological gamblers were surveyed at three bingo clubs, one video poker club, and one horse-racing club in São Paulo. The South Oaks Gambling Screen and a questionnaire were administered to 171 subjects. When compared to nonpathological gamblers, a significantly higher proportion of pathological gamblers played cards, horse races, video poker, and dice in their lifetime. The two groups were similar with respect to socially acceptable games such as lotteries, bingo, sports, and the stock market. No significant differences were observed in drug consumption except for a higher lifetime consumption of tobacco among pathological gamblers. Only 4.9% of the gamblers sought help for gambling-related problems, suggesting that gambling is not generally perceived as a mental health problem by these subjects.

This study examines the influence of the selection of screening tests and cut-off scores on the prevalence of gambling disorders by simultaneously administering several tests to the same sample. The survey was conducted online in 2021, with 2,000 respondents distributed equally across two prefectures in Japan. Four screening tests were administered simultaneously: the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), Lie/Bet questionnaire, and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5). The prevalence at the original cut-off scores was markedly different, with the SOGS (10.3%) showing the highest prevalence and the DSM-5 (3.8%) showing the lowest prevalence. Adjusting the cut-off score from 5 to 4 for the SOGS increased prevalence by 2.9%, while changing the PGSI cut-off score from 8 to 7 only increased it by 0.5%. This is the first study in Japan to simultaneously compare the scores for multiple screening tests and cut-off scores regarding gambling disorders. The SOGS screens more individuals with a possible gambling disorder than other measures, and altering the cut-off score significantly affected its prevalence. Selecting appropriate screening tests and cut-off scores is crucial to accurately assessing the prevalence of possible gambling disorders.

I 1928 Freud published an essay about the pathological gambling of Fyodor Dostoyevsky, the Russian author who wrote a novel called The Gambler based on his personal experience. However, not until 1980 was pathological gambling acknowledged by the American Psychiatric Association as a psychiatric disorder of impulse control. The classification of pathological gambling as a psychiatric disorder was followed by the development of uniform diagnostic criteria, a valid, reliable screening tool—the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) (1)—and preliminary neurobiological studies that implicated serotonergic dysfunction in pathological gambling (2). However, few psychiatrists have had substantial experience in the prevention, assessment, and treatment of pathological gambling. Moreover, despite rapid increases in gambling opportunities in the last decade, public health, clinical, and social implications of gambling behavior have been understudied, particularly among adolescents. We would like to argue that the current lack of knowledge about and failure to respond to adolescent gambling behavior is similar to the situation that existed 30 years ago in the area of another addiction, substance abuse. We fear that failure to draw attention to the needs of adolescents at high risk for problem and pathological gambling may result in an increase in the number of pathological gamblers in the next generation. Such an increase would be accompanied by emotional and financial damage to these individuals and their families and by legal and financial costs to the community.

The psychometric properties of two pathological gambling (PG) screening instruments, the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and the Massachusetts Gambling Screen-DSM-IV subscale (MAGS), were explored in a sample of college students (N = 159). Participants completed the two screening instruments, a diagnostic interview for PG, the Gambling-Timeline Followback (G-TLFB), Gambling Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (GSEQ), and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL). Both screening measures were found to have adequate internal consistency and were highly correlated with each other and the diagnostic interview. The screening measures demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity. Using the diagnostic interview as the criterion measure, the SOGS demonstrated better sensitivity in identifying PG college students than the MAGS. The MAGS demonstrated better specificity in identifying non-PG college students than the SOGS. The results of this study suggest that although neither measure is perfect in identifying PG college students, the SOGS is a more appropriate measure for screening purposes.

Veterans are at an elevated risk for suicide, with notably high suicide rates over recent years. Additionally, veterans are also at elevated risk for a variety of psychiatric and mental health comorbidities, one of them being gambling disorder (GD). However, limited research has examined the relationship between GD and suicidality among veteran populations. The present study links suicidality with GD including comorbid diagnoses, gambling preferences, gambling severity, and impulsivity in a sample of military veterans with GD. This study was an archival analysis of data from 603 United States veterans who received inpatient treatment for GD at a Veterans Affairs Hospital between the years of 2010 and 2024. Gambling disorder and comorbid diagnoses were determined at intake through clinician interviews and assessment. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and the Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, and Positive Urgency Scale (UPPS-P) assessed gambling severity and impulsivity. Chi-squares, independent t-tests, and logistical regressions were conducted. Additional tests were conducted on a subset of 157 veterans for which suicide attempt reason was reported. Suicide attempt history is extremely common in veterans receiving treatment for gambling disorder, with over 40% reporting such a history. Veterans who reported a past suicide attempt were more likely to be nonstrategic gamblers, to have a current psychiatric diagnosis, and to report greater levels of impulsivity. Women veterans were especially likely to report a suicide attempt history (60% of women in our sample). Lastly, veterans who reported their suicide attempt was related to gambling were more likely to be a strategic gambler, have greater gambling severity, and impulsivity. Veterans with GD are particularly vulnerable to increased risk for suicidality and its associations. Our findings point to the importance of customizing treatment for veterans with GD to target these potential risk profiles (e.g., gambling preferences, heightened impulsivity facets, and comorbidities) and therefore decrease the risks of suicidality.

To evaluate the prevalence and correlates of problem and pathological gambling in older adults. Adults (n = 343) aged 60 years and older attending senior centers, bingo sites and other community activities completed a screening form containing the South Oaks Gambling Screen and the Short Form-12 Health Survey, to evaluate physical and mental health. Overall, 6.4% of the respondents were classified as problem gamblers and an additional 3.8% as pathological gamblers. Problem and pathological gamblers evidenced significantly greater physical and mental health problems than non-problem gamblers. These data suggest that about 10 percent of active older adults experience gambling problems, which are associated with poor physical and mental health.

Gambling behavior is partly the result of varied motivations leading individuals to participate in gambling activities. Specific motivational profiles are found in gamblers, and gambling motives are closely linked to the development of cognitive distortions. This cross-sectional study aimed to predict cognitive distortions from gambling motives in poker players. The population was recruited in online gambling forums. Participants reported gambling at least once a week. Data included sociodemographic characteristics, the South Oaks Gambling Screen, the Gambling Motives Questionnaire-Financial and the Gambling-Related Cognition Scale. This study was conducted on 259 male poker gamblers (aged 18–69 years, 14.3% probable pathological gamblers). Univariate analyses showed that cognitive distortions were independently predicted by overall gambling motives (34.8%) and problem gambling (22.4%) (p < .05). The multivariate model, including these two variables, explained 39.7% of cognitive distortions (p < .05). The results associated with the literature data highlight that cognitive distortions are a good discriminating factor of gambling problems, showing a close inter-relationship between gambling motives, cognitive distortions and the severity of gambling. These data are consistent with the following theoretical process model: gambling motives lead individuals to practice and repeat the gambling experience, which may lead them to develop cognitive distortions, which in turn favor problem gambling. This study opens up new research perspectives to understand better the mechanisms underlying gambling practice and has clinical implications in terms of prevention and treatment. For example, a coupled motivational and cognitive intervention focused on gambling motives/cognitive distortions could be beneficial for individuals with gambling problems.

Objective: In this study, the prevalence of gambling behaviors among the TRNC in 2014 is compared with the data of 2007, 2012 and the relationship between acculturation and problem and pathological gambling is examined. Methods: The population of the study consists individuals 18-65 years of age living in TRNC. Nine hundred and fifty-eight people were consequently selected according to gender, age and geographical region with a multi-stage stratified quota. Data was collected in May and June 2014. For the collection of the data, a demographic question-naire, the Turkish version of the Revised South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and the Turkish version of Culture Attitude Scale (CAS) were used. The prevalence data were compared with the research done by the same re-searchers in 2007 (n=1012) and 2012 (n=996), which were conducted by same method and questionnaire. Results: According to SOGS scores, the rate of gambling addiction (SOGS≥8) in the TRNC was 2.2% in 2007 and 3.5% in 2012 and rose to 3.8% in the present study. Moreover the rate of problem gambling (SOGS=3-7) was 9.2% in 2007, 9.7% in 2012 and in the present study 9.5%. When the risk factors for gambling behavior are examined, to be a male, to be in the age range of 18-29, to be single, to live alone, and to marry less than 5 years are found as the risk factors for gambling. Conclusion: The study shows that gambling behavior is widespread in the TRNC and gambling addiction is increasingly rapidly. High rates of gambling addiction, should be assessed in its own social structure for each community as in the TRNC and it should be taken into consideration that acculturation is an effective factor in increasing gambling dependency

The main objective was to determine the prediction level of alexithymia and difficulties in emotion regulation on pathological gambling. Secondly, this study aimed to examine the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation on the relationship between alexithymia and pathological gambling. The sample was consisted of 246 male gamblers. The average age was 33.30 with a standard deviation of 11.62. In addition to socio-demographic form, The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) were used to collect data. Regression analyses revealed that amount of money bet, total score of TAS-20 and DERS significantly predicted pathological gambling. In addition to these, difficulties in emotion regulation have a partial mediator role in the relationship between alexithymia and pathological gambling. It is argued that individuals high in alexithymia become prone to addiction behavior through emotion dysregulation. In addition to the alexithymia level, difficulties in emotion regulation are seen to play an important role in pathological gambling. In this context, this study contributes to the relevant literature by discussing alexithymia, emotion regulation and pathological gambling together.

The Northern Territory of Australia, one of the most demographically and socially diverse jurisdictions in the country, conducted its first population-based gambling and problem gambling prevalence survey in 2005. Both the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) were administered to the same sample of respondents. Using data from this survey, the current paper presents a parallel comparison of the respective screens with particular reference to gender, region, and the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents. The respective screens produced significantly different groups of problem gamblers as measured by their association with a range of socio-demographic variables. Specifically, the large number of SOGS items related to money issues may cause selective overrepresentation among low socioeconomic groups, including Indigenous people, who exist in relatively high proportions in the Northern Territory. In addition, there existed substantial gender-based differences within screens. Identified female problem gamblers were associated with household level variables (i.e. employment status, household type and marital status), while males were associated with socio-economic variables including language, education, and income. Further research is required to validate the use of problem gambling screens within the Indigenous population and to understand the role of gender in the experience and categorisation of problem gambling.

Although the precise nature of pathological gambling (PG) is still elusive, currently it is considered an impulse-control disorder that shares several features with substance dependence, such as deficit in self-regulation and impaired impulsivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impulsivity of PG patients by means of the Barratt Impulsivity Scale, version 11 (BIS-11), as compared with healthy control subjects, and to explore the possible correlations with gambling severity. Thirty-five outpatients (all men) with a diagnosis of PG were recruited at their first psychiatric interview in a psychiatric outpatient ward, and compared with a similar group of healthy control subjects. The severity of PG was assessed by means of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). The results showed that the BIS-11 total score, as well as the scores of different factors (motor impulsity and cognitive complexity) and subscales (motor and non-planning impulsivity) were significantly higher in PG patients than in control subjects. In addition, positive correlations were detected between the SOGS and the BIS-11 total scores, and the attention and cognitive instability factor scores, or the attentional and motor impulsivity (rs=0.459, p=.021) subscale scores. These findings support the notion that impulsivity represents a core element of PG linked to the severity of the clinical picture.

Current instruments used in epidemiological studies suffer serious methodological problems, one being the failure to properly conceptualize the constructs of problem and pathological gambling. The purpose of this study is to develop a brief single purpose survey instrument to identify prevalence rates and estimates for treatment services. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and Sydney Laval Universities Gambling Screen (SLUGS) were administered to a sample of 2069 college and university students in Scotland. Results showed that 4% of respondents met criteria for probable pathological gambling. SOGS scores correlated significantly with rated level of problems but less than half (44%) of those meeting SOGS criteria indicated a need for treatment. Responses on the SLUGS indicated that impaired control and spending more time and money is a feature commonly reported among non-problem gamblers. The SLUGS may represent a useful brief single purpose screen for problem gambling and self-reported need for treatment.

Gambling severity is associated with both childhood trauma and pathological dissociation in casino gamblers. A mediational model shows that the effect of childhood trauma on gambling severity is entirely mediated by pathological dissociation. From a clinical point of view, our results highlight the importance of assessing, and possibly treating, dissociative symptoms in individuals with gambling disorder.

Research Type: Level 3 - Retrospective cohort study, Case-control study, Meta-analysis of Level 3 studies Introduction/Purpose: Ankle arthroscopy is a widely performed procedure for diagnosing and treating ankle pathologies. While generally safe, surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a concern, with reported incidences ranging from 0.13% to 3.08%. Although relatively uncommon, SSIs can delay rehabilitation, increase healthcare costs, and lead to severe complications like septic arthritis. Identifying predictors of infection is crucial to improving surgical outcomes. Previous studies suggest that diabetes mellitus (DM) and high body mass index (BMI) may be associated with increased infection risk, but data remain limited. This 8-year retrospective study aimed to determine the incidence of postoperative infections in ankle arthroscopy and identify significant predictors of SSI, using a multivariate analysis of demographic and clinical risk factors. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 321 patients who underwent ankle arthroscopy between 2014 and 2022. Patients were excluded if they had pre-existing infections, open fractures, or incomplete medical records. Demographic and clinical data, including age, sex, BMI, smoking status, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (SAH), and ASA score, were collected. The primary outcome was SSI incidence, with infections classified as superficial (managed conservatively) or deep (requiring surgical debridement or implant removal). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of infection, controlling for potential confounders. Statistical significance was set at p &lt; 0.05. This study provides one of the largest long-term analyses on infection risk factors in ankle arthroscopy, offering critical insights into patient selection and perioperative management strategies. Results: The overall SSI incidence was 2.5% (8/321 patients), with 6 superficial and 2 deep infections requiring further surgery. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and high BMI emerged as independent predictors of infection. Patients with BMI ≥40 kg/m² had a 50% infection rate (p = 0.008), while DM patients had an 11.8% infection rate (p = 0.013). No significant associations were found with hypertension (p = 0.862), smoking (p = 0.254), ASA score (p = 0.616), or sex (p = 0.075). The most common indications for arthroscopy were synovectomy, impingement, and loose body removal (48.3%), followed by osteochondral defect treatment (16.8%) and ligament repair (12.8%). These findings suggest that BMI and DM should be considered in preoperative risk stratification. Conclusion: This 8-year study confirms that BMI and diabetes mellitus are independent predictors of postoperative infection in ankle arthroscopy, while other demographic factors, including hypertension, smoking, and ASA score, showed no significant correlation. Although the overall infection rate was low (2.5%), deep infections requiring surgical intervention reinforce the importance of early recognition and risk-based perioperative management. These findings support the implementation of targeted infection prevention strategies, particularly in patients with high BMI and diabetes, to optimize surgical outcomes and minimize complications. Preoperative screening and tailored postoperative care are essential to reducing infection risk in this patient population. Fisher’s Exact Test Results for Risk Factors Associated with Infection in Ankle Arthroscopy This table presents the association between clinical and demographic risk factors and surgical site infections (SSIs) following ankle arthroscopy. Diabetes mellitus (p = 0.013) and BMI (p = 0.008) were significantly associated with infection, indicating their role as independent risk factors. Other variables, including hypertension, smoking, gender, ASA score, and type of surgical procedure, did not show statistically significant associations (p &gt; 0.05).