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Themenschwerpunkt

Gambling Among Adults in Germany: Prevalence, Disorder and Risk Factors

Published Online:August 22, 2011https://doi.org/10.1024/0939-5911.a000115

Abstract

Aims: The present study aimed at analyzing prevalence of participation in gambling activities, gambling disorder as well as associated risk factors in the German adult population. Methods: Data came from the 2009 Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse (ESA) using a mixed-mode design including questionnaires, telephone and Internet interviews. The cross-sectional random sample consisted of 8,006 subjects aged 18 to 64 years. The response rate was 50.1 %. Results: With a 12-month prevalence of 48.0 %, gambling was a common activity differing by gender (males: 53.9 %, females: 42.0 %). Prevalence of pathological gambling (PG; past 12 months) was estimated at 0.3 % and at 1.1 % for subthreshold pathological gambling (SPG). Various socioeconomic characteristics were related to SPG and/or PG. Male gender and non-German nationality have shown the greatest risk factors for PG. Moreover, gambling frequency and multiple gambling participation were positive associated with SPG and PG. A strong association was found for preference for Internet gambling with SPG and for preference for gaming machines and sports events with PG. Conclusions: The results indicate that SPG was genuinely different from gambling without endorsing any DSM-IV criteria calling for more research on the clinical relevance and classification of this subgroup. Furthermore, findings highlight the need for prevention and intervention measures that target subjects with specific socioeconomic and gambling-related risk factors.


Glücksspiel bei Erwachsenen in Deutschland: Prävalenz, Pathologie und Risikofaktoren

Ziele: Untersucht wurden die Prävalenz der Glücksspielteilnahme und glücksspielbezogener Störungen sowie assoziierte Risikofaktoren bei Erwachsenen in Deutschland. Methodik: Die Stichprobe umfasste 8.006 Personen zwischen 18 und 64 Jahren aus dem Epidemiologischen Suchtsurvey (ESA) 2009. Die Daten wurden anhand schriftlicher Fragebögen, Telefoninterviews und über das Internet erhoben. Die Antwortrate betrug 50,1 %. Ergebnisse: In den letzten 12 Monaten nahmen 48,0 % der Befragten an einem Glücksspiel teil (Männer: 53,9 %, Frauen: 42,0 %). Bei 0,3 % der Befragten lag pathologisches Glücksspielen (PG) innerhalb der letzten 12 Monate vor; 1,1 % erfüllten ein bis vier Kriterien nach DSM-IV (subthreshold pathological gambling, SPG). Es zeigte sich ein signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen sozioökonomischen Charakteristika und SPG und/oder PG. Männliches Geschlecht und nicht deutsche Nationalität waren die größten Risikofaktoren für PG. Häufiges Spielen und die Teilnahme an mehreren Glücksspielen waren mit einem höheren Risiko für SPG und PG assoziiert. Die Präferenz für Glücksspiele im Internet war ein signifikanter Risikofaktor für SPG und die Präferenz für Geldspielautomaten und Sportwetten erhöhte das Risiko für PG. Schlussfolgerung: SPG unterscheidet sich vom Spielen ohne das Erfüllen von DSM-IV Kriterien und bedarf weiterer Forschung zur klinischen Relevanz und Klassifikation dieser Subgruppe. Die Ergebnisse weisen auf den erhöhten Bedarf an Präventions- und Interventionsmaßnahmen für Personengruppen mit spezifischen sozioökonomischen und glücksspielbezogenen Risikofaktoren hin.

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