Stein Gabriella N, Pretorius Adele, Stein Dan J, Sinclair Heidi
Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2016 Feb;28(1):43-50.
A number of studies have noted a significant association between suicidality and pathological gambling (PG), but the exact relationship has not been extensively characterized. It is unclear whether gambling precipitates suicidality, or whether underlying psychiatric problems, such as mood disturbances, lead to both gambling and suicidality. Furthermore, all published data on the association between suicidality and gambling is from high-income countries, and the nature of this relationship in low- and middle-income countries, such as South Africa, has not been explored.
The relationship between gambling and suicidality was investigated in individuals who had called the South African National Responsible Gambling Programme's helpline. Associations between sociodemographic factors, severity of gambling symptoms, comorbid psychiatric disorders, family history of psychiatric disorders, and suicidality were assessed.
Data indicated that suicidality in PG is associated with sociodemographic factors (female sex, being unmarried, and unemployment), clinical factors (severity of gambling, personal history of comorbid psychiatric disorders, particularly depression), and a family history of psychiatric disorders.
A knowledge of risk factors for suicidality is important when assessing and counseling individuals who have PG, and may be a useful tool in preventing suicidal behaviors. This study provides additional evidence that treatment of PG should include a focus on comorbid psychiatric illnesses.
多项研究指出自杀倾向与病理性赌博（PG）之间存在显著关联，但确切关系尚未得到充分描述。尚不清楚是赌博引发了自杀倾向，还是潜在的精神问题，如情绪障碍，导致了赌博和自杀倾向。此外，所有已发表的关于自杀倾向与赌博之间关联的数据均来自高收入国家，而在南非等低收入和中等收入国家这种关系的本质尚未得到探讨。
对拨打南非国家负责任赌博计划求助热线的个人中赌博与自杀倾向之间的关系进行了调查。评估了社会人口统计学因素、赌博症状严重程度、共病精神障碍、精神障碍家族史与自杀倾向之间的关联。
数据表明，病理性赌博中的自杀倾向与社会人口统计学因素（女性、未婚和失业）、临床因素（赌博严重程度、共病精神障碍个人史，尤其是抑郁症）以及精神障碍家族史有关。
在评估和辅导患有病理性赌博的个体时，了解自杀倾向的风险因素很重要，并且可能是预防自杀行为的有用工具。这项研究提供了额外的证据，表明病理性赌博的治疗应包括关注共病精神疾病。
