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A Multi-Method Investigation of Normative and Pathological Personality Across the Spectrum of Gambling Involvement

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Abstract

Pathological Gambling (PG) has been linked to both specific personality traits and personality disorders (PDs). However, previous studies have used a wide variety of research designs that preclude clear conclusions about the personality features that distinguish adults with PG from other groups. The current investigation seeks to advance this research by using a sample including adults who do not gamble, who gamble socially, and who exhibit PG, using self-report, informant-report, and interview-rated measures of personality traits and disorders. A total of 245 adults completed measures of gambling behaviour and problems, as well as normative and pathological personality over two assessment visits. A multivariate ANCOVA was conducted to investigate differences between groups. Analyses supported numerous group differences including differences between all groups on the Neuroticism facet of Impulsivity, and between non-gambling/socially gambling and PG groups on the Conscientiousness facet of Self-Discipline. Adults with PG exhibited more symptoms of Borderline, Paranoid, Schizotypal, Avoidant, and Dependent PDs than adults who gamble socially or not at all. The current investigation provides a comprehensive survey of personality across a wide range of gambling involvement, using a multi-method approach. Our findings help to clarify the most pertinent personality risk factors for PG.

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Funding

This study was funded by a Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre (OPGRC) Level IV grant (#2662). OPGRC approved the research proposal, including objectives and methodology, but had no involvement in the design, conduct, analysis, or write-up.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1025 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H1, Canada

    Lena C. Quilty, Elijah Otis, Sasha A. Haefner & R. Michael Bagby

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada

    Lena C. Quilty & R. Michael Bagby

  3. Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, 252 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V6, Canada

    Sasha A. Haefner

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G3, Canada

    R. Michael Bagby

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  1. Lena C. Quilty
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  4. R. Michael Bagby
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Correspondence to Lena C. Quilty.

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Dr. Quilty has received research funding from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming. All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Quilty, L.C., Otis, E., Haefner, S.A. et al. A Multi-Method Investigation of Normative and Pathological Personality Across the Spectrum of Gambling Involvement. J Gambl Stud 38, 205–223 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10011-8

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