TY - JOUR
T1 - Pathological and problem gambling among veterans in clinical care
T2 - Prevalence, demography, and clinical correlates
AU - Westermeyer, Joe
AU - Canive, Jose
AU - Thuras, Paul
AU - Oakes, Michael
AU - Spring, Marline
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2017 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Background and Objectives The aim of the study was to estimate prevalence rates of pathological gambling and problem gambling among veterans receiving VA care, since several studies have suggested that VA patients may be at increased risk to these conditions. Sample consisted of 1,999 veterans randomly selected from VA centers and community clinics in the Albuquerque and Minneapolis catchment areas. Women and younger veterans were oversampled, due to anticipated low rates in these two groups. Results revealed that the lifetime prevalence rate of pathological gambling weighted for current VA patients was 2.0%, twice the general adult population rate. Current 1-year weighted prevalence of pathological gambling was.9%, with an additional.2% having continued problem gambling and.9% recovered. Lifetime weighted problem gambling rate was 8.8%. Altogether, 10.7% had lifetime pathological gambling or problem gambling. Women had higher rates of pathological gambling, but similar rates of problem gambling compared to men. The greater prevalence of pathological gambling for younger veterans aged 20-29 (1.3%) compared to veterans aged 30-39 (.8%) was unusual and warrants further investigation. Conclusions and Scientific Significance Veterans in VA care have higher rates of gambling problems than the general adult population. Female and young veterans have rates higher than those observed in other surveys of women and young adults.
AB - Background and Objectives The aim of the study was to estimate prevalence rates of pathological gambling and problem gambling among veterans receiving VA care, since several studies have suggested that VA patients may be at increased risk to these conditions. Sample consisted of 1,999 veterans randomly selected from VA centers and community clinics in the Albuquerque and Minneapolis catchment areas. Women and younger veterans were oversampled, due to anticipated low rates in these two groups. Results revealed that the lifetime prevalence rate of pathological gambling weighted for current VA patients was 2.0%, twice the general adult population rate. Current 1-year weighted prevalence of pathological gambling was.9%, with an additional.2% having continued problem gambling and.9% recovered. Lifetime weighted problem gambling rate was 8.8%. Altogether, 10.7% had lifetime pathological gambling or problem gambling. Women had higher rates of pathological gambling, but similar rates of problem gambling compared to men. The greater prevalence of pathological gambling for younger veterans aged 20-29 (1.3%) compared to veterans aged 30-39 (.8%) was unusual and warrants further investigation. Conclusions and Scientific Significance Veterans in VA care have higher rates of gambling problems than the general adult population. Female and young veterans have rates higher than those observed in other surveys of women and young adults.
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2012.12011.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2012.12011.x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85027949264
SN - 1055-0496
VL - 22
SP - 218
EP - 225
JO - American Journal on Addictions
JF - American Journal on Addictions
IS - 3
ER -