Background and aims

The commission of illegal acts has been associated with gambling disorder (GD). However, little is known about young adults with GD who commit GD-related crimes. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to compare sociodemographic, clinical, personality and psychopathological features among young adults with GD with and without a history of illegal behaviors. Our second aim was to analyze the specific associations between these factors through a path analysis.

Methods

A total of 808 treatment-seeking young adults who met criteria for GD were assessed at a public hospital unit specialized in behavioral addictions. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires to explore GD, personality traits, and psychopathological symptomatology.

Results

Of the total sample, 291 patients (36.0%) had committed GD-related offences. Illegal acts were related to younger age and unemployment status. Greater levels of psychopathology, as well as earlier GD onset, longer GD duration and greater GD severity were also associated with the presence of criminal behaviors. Differences in personality traits were also found between these two groups.

Discussion and conclusions

The GD group with a history of illegal acts showed dysfunctional personality traits and higher levels of psychopathology. Therefore, specific GD treatments and harm reduction interventions should be designed for these patients.

中文翻译：

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青少年与赌博失调：犯罪行为如何？

背景和目标

犯下非法行为与赌博失调（GD）有关。但是，对于患有GD相关犯罪的GD年轻人知之甚少。因此，本研究的主要目的是比较有和没有违法行为史的青壮年年轻人的社会人口统计学，临床，人格和心理病理特征。我们的第二个目标是通过路径分析来分析这些因素之间的特定关联。

方法

在专门针对行为成瘾的公立医院评估了总计808名符合GD标准的寻求治疗的年轻人。参加者完成了自我报告的问卷调查，以探讨GD，人格特征和心理病理症状。

结果

在全部样本中，有291名患者（36.0％）犯了与GD有关的罪行。非法行为与年龄和失业状况有关。较高的心理病理学水平，以及较早的GD发作，较长的GD持续时间和较高的GD严重性也与犯罪行为的存在有关。两组之间在人格特征上也存在差异。

讨论和结论

具有违法行为历史的GD小组表现出机能失调的人格特征和较高的心理病理学水平。因此，应针对这些患者设计特定的GD治疗和减低伤害干预措施。