A Population-Based Study of the Association Between Pathological Gambling and Attempted Suicide
Date
2003
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Guilford Publications
Abstract
The association between pathological gambling and attempted suicide was
examined using data from a prevalence study conducted in Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada. The sample size was 7,214, the questionnaire was the Diagnostic Interview
Schedule, and diagnoses were made on a lifetime basis according to DSMIII
criteria. Logistic regression analysis was performed, with attempted suicide as
the dependent variable. The odds ratio for pathological gambling was statistically
significant (odds ratio = 4.91; 95% confidence interval = [1.41,17.1]) when major
depression was the only comorbid mental disorder in the model. As terms for
additional mental disorders were included, pathological gambling ceased to be
statistically significant. It was concluded that a history of pathological gambling is
associated with previous attempted suicide, and that the association may be due
to a common factor—“mental illness.”
Description
Reprinted with permission of The Guilford Press.
Keywords
pathological gambling, attempted suicide, at risk populations
Citation
Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 33(1), 80-87.