Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Subtyping Non-treatment-seeking Problem Gamblers Using the Pathways Model

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Gambling Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examined whether distinct subgroups could be identified among a sample of non-treatment-seeking problem and pathological/disordered gamblers (PG) using Blaszczynski and Nower’s (Addiction 97:487–499, 2002) pathways model (N = 150, 50% female). We examined coping motives for gambling, childhood trauma, boredom proneness, risk-taking, impulsivity, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and antisocial personality disorder as defining variables in a hierarchical cluster analysis to identify subgroups. Subgroup differences in gambling, psychiatric, and demographic variables were also assessed to establish concurrent validity. Consistent with the pathways model, our analyses identified three gambling subgroups: (1) behaviorally conditioned (BC), (2) emotionally vulnerable (EV), and (3) antisocial-impulsivist (AI) gamblers. BC gamblers (n = 47) reported the lowest levels of lifetime depression, anxiety, gambling severity, and interest in problem gambling treatment. EV gamblers (n = 53) reported the highest levels of childhood trauma, motivation to gamble to cope with negative emotions, gambling-related suicidal ideation, and family history of gambling problems. AI gamblers (n = 50) reported the highest levels of antisocial personality disorder and ADHD symptoms, as well as higher rates of impulsivity and risk-taking than EV gamblers. The findings provide evidence for the validity of the pathways model as a framework for conceptualizing PG subtypes in a non-treatment-seeking sample, and underscore the importance of tailoring treatment approaches to meet the respective clinical needs of these subtypes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Other runs using alternative clustering algorithms are available from the first author.

  2. Raw scores are presented to facilitate comparison with other studies.

References

  • Anderson, G., & Brown, R. I. F. (1984). Real and laboratory gambling, sensation seeking and arousal: toward a Pavlovian component in general theories of gambling and gambling addictions. British Journal of Psychology, 75, 401–411.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F., Vohs, K. D., & Tice, D. M. (2007). The strength model of self-control. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 16, 396–403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, D. P., & Fink, L. (1998). Childhood trauma questionnaire: A retrospective self-report manual. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A., & Nower, L. (2002). A pathways model of problem and pathological gambling. Addiction, 97, 487–499.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A., Steel, Z., & McConaghy, N. (1997). Impulsivity in pathological gambling: The antisocial impulsivist. Addiction, 92, 75–87.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bonnaire, C., Bungener, C., & Varescon, I. (2009). Subtypes of French pathological gamblers: Comparison of sensation seeking, alexithymia and depression scores. Journal of Gambling Studies, 25, 455–471.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Connors, C. K., Erhardt, D., & Sparrow, E. (1999). Conners’ adult ADHD rating scales (CAARS). North Tonawanda, NY: Multi-Health Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferris, J., & Wynne, H. (2001). The Canadian Problem Gambling Index: Final Report. Ottawa: Canadian Center on Substance Abuse.

  • First, M. B., Spitzer, R. L., Gibbon, M., & Williams, J. B. W. (1996). Structured clinical interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders, patient edition (SCID-P). New York: New York State Psychiatric Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerstein, D., Murphy, S., Toce, M., Hoffman, J., Palmer, A., Johnson, R., et al. (1999). Gambling impact and behavior study. Chicago: University of Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez-Ibanez, A., Aymani, M. N., Jimenez, S., Domenech, J. M., Granero, R., & Lourido-Ferreira, M. R. (2003). Psychological Reports, 93, 707–716.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Granero, R., Fernández-Aranda, F., Aymamí, N., Gómez-Peña, M., Fagundo, A. B., Sauchelli, S., et al. (2015). Subtypes of pathological gambling with concurrent illegal behaviors. Journal of Gambling Studies, 31(4), 1161–1178.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hair, J. F., Jr., & Black, W. C. (2000). Cluster analysis. In L. G. Grimm & P. R. Yarnold (Eds.), Reading and understanding more multivariate statistics (pp. 147–205). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodgins, D. C., & el-Guebaly, N. (2000). Natural and treatment-assisted recovery from gambling problems: A comparison of resolved and active gamblers. Addiction, 95(5), 777–789.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgins, D. C., & el-Guebaly, N. (2010). The influence of substance dependence and mood disorders on outcome from pathological gambling: Five year follow. Journal of Gambling Studies, 26(1), 117–127.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, D. F. (1986). A general theory of addictions: a new theoretical model. Journal of Gambling Behavior, 2, 15–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jobes, D. A. (2006). Managing suicidal risk: A collaborative approach. New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joiner, T. E., Walker, R. L., Rudd, M. D., & Jobes, D. A. (1999). Scientizing and routinizing the assessment of suicidality in outpatient practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 30, 447–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knezevic, B., & Ledgerwood, D. M. (2012). Gambling severity, impulsivity, and psychopathology: Comparison of treatment- and community-recruited pathological gamblers. American Journal on Addictions, 21(6), 508–515.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ledgerwood, D. M., Alessi, S. M., Phoenix, N., & Petry, N. M. (2009). Behavioral assessment of impulsivity in pathological gamblers with and without substance use disorder histories versus healthy controls. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 105, 89–96.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ledgerwood, D. M., Arfken, C. L., Wiedemann, A., Bates, K. E., Holmes, D., & Jones, L. (2013). Who goes to treatment? Predictors of treatment initiation among gambling helpline callers. American Journal on Addictions, 22(1), 33–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ledgerwood, D. M., & Petry, N. M. (2006). Psychological experience of gambling and subtypes of pathological gamblers. Psychiatry Research, 144, 17–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ledgerwood, D. M., & Petry, N. M. (2010). Subtyping pathological gamblers based on impulsivity, depression and anxiety. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 24(4), 680–688.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H. R. (2001). Cluster analysis of types of inpatient pathological gamblers. Dissertation Abstracts International, 62B, 2065.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lister, J. J., Milosevic, A., & Ledgerwood, D. M. (2015a). Psychological characteristics of problem gamblers with and without mood disorder. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 60(8), 369–376.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lister, J. J., Milosevic, A., & Ledgerwood, D. M. (2015b). Personality traits of problem gamblers with and without alcohol dependence. Addictive Behaviors, 47, 48–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lobo, D. S. S., Quilty, L. C., Martins, S. S., Tavares, H., Vallada, H., Kennedy, J. L., et al. (2014). Pathological gambling subtypes: a comparison of treatment-seeking and non-treatment-seeking samples from Brazil and Canada. Addictive Behaviors, 39(7), 1172–1175.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Milligan, G. W., & Cooper, M. C. (1988). A study of standardization of variables in cluster analysis. Journal of Classification, 5, 181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milosevic, A., & Ledgerwood, D. M. (2010). The subtyping of pathological gambling: A comprehensive review. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(8), 988–998.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mooi, E., & Sarstedt, M. (2011). Understanding cluster-analysis. In E. Mooi & M. Sarstedt (Eds.), A concise guide to market research: The process, data, and methods using IBM SPSS statistics (pp. 259–283). Berlin: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Najavits, L. M., Smylie, D., Johnson, K., Lung, J., & Classen, C. (2013). Seeking safety therapy for pathological gambling and PTSD: A pilot outcome study. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 45, 10–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petry, N. M., & Casarella, T. (1999). Excessive discounting of delayed rewards in substance abusers with gambling problems. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 56(1), 25–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sharpe, L. (2002). A reformulated cognitive–behavioral model of problem gambling: a biopsychosocial perspective. Clinical Psychology Review, 22, 1–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steel, Z., & Blaszczynski, A. (1996). The factorial structure of pathological gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12, 3–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, S. H., & Zack, M. (2008). Development and psychometric evaluation of a three dimensional Gambling Motives Questionnaire. Addiction, 103, 1110–1117.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, S. H., Zack, M., Collins, P., Klein, R. M., & Fragopoulos, F. (2008). Subtyping pathological gamblers on the basis of affective motivations for gambling: Relations to gambling problems, drinking problems, and affective motivations for drinking. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 22, 257–268.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Suomi, A., Dowling, N. A., & Jackson, A. C. (2014). Problem gambling subtypes based on psychological distress, alcohol abuse and impulsivity. Addictive Behaviors, 39(12), 1741–1745.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tellegan, A. (2000). Manual for the multidimensional personality questionnaire. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, N. E., Jain, U., Spence, W., & Zangeneh, M. (2008). Pathways to pathological gambling: Component analysis of variables related to pathological gambling. International Gambling Studies, 8, 281–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vachon, D. D., & Bagby, R. M. (2009). Pathological gambling subtypes. Psychological Assessment, 21, 608–615.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Valleur, M., Codina, I., Vénisse, J. L., Romo, L., Magalon, D., Fatséas, M., et al. (2016). Towards a validation of the three pathways model of pathological gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 32(2), 751–771.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waluk, O. R., Youssef, G. J., & Dowling, N. A. (2016). The relationship between problem gambling and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Gambling Studies, 32(2), 591–604.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Whiteside, S. P., & Lynam, D. R. (2001). The five factor model and impulsivity: Using a structural model of personality to understand impulsivity. Personality and Individual Differences, 30(4), 669–689.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yim, O., & Ramdeen, K. T. (2015). Hierarchical cluster analysis: Comparison of three linkage measures and application to psychological data. The Quantitative Methods for Psychology, 11(1), 8–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre, the Joe Young Sr–Helene Lycaki Funds from the State of Michigan, and the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority. Aleks Milosevic collected the data during his doctoral studies at the University of Windsor Department of Psychology. We thank Ron Frisch for his assistance with this study. All authors contributed to writing and data analysis processes during the preparation of this manuscript. All authors have read and approved of this manuscript. There are no conflicts of interest to report.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Substance Abuse Research Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Tolan Park Medical Building, 3901 Chrysler Service Drive, Suite 2A, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    Miea Moon, Jamey J. Lister & David M. Ledgerwood

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada

    Miea Moon, Aleks Milosevic & David M. Ledgerwood

  3. Wayne State University, School of Social Work, 5447 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    Jamey J. Lister

  4. Centre for Interpersonal Relationships, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Aleks Milosevic

Authors
  1. Miea Moon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jamey J. Lister
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Aleks Milosevic
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. David M. Ledgerwood
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Jamey J. Lister or David M. Ledgerwood.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Moon, M., Lister, J.J., Milosevic, A. et al. Subtyping Non-treatment-seeking Problem Gamblers Using the Pathways Model. J Gambl Stud 33, 841–853 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9658-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9658-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation