Gioco d'azzardo e suicidalità: una rassegna di studi recenti

Gambling disorder (GD) is an important public health problem, with high prevalence rates. A review of studies investigating the relationship between problem gambling and suicidality (suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts and death by suicide) has been conducted. The PsycInfo and PubMed databases were used by entering gambl* AND suicid* as keywords. 35 studies were included in the review. Individual factors associated with suicidality in gamblers are as follows: female gender, older age and considerable number of years of gambling, low level of education, presence of debts, parental gambling, impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, sensation-seeking, harm avoidance, immature defense style, adverse life events. Specific type of gambling activities related to suicide risk were also found including electronic gaming machines, sport bets, daily fantasy sports, and instant lotteries. Even though suicide risk was found among sub-syndromic GD subjects, higher suicidality is related to severity of gambling problems. Finally, disordered gamblers who have psychiatric comorbidities (e.g., mood disorders, anxiety disorders, Cluster B personality disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders) appear to be at higher risk than those with uncomplicated GD. In conclusion, these results can be used to improve gambling assessment and to plan targeted treatments. They are also essential for the prevention of suicidal behavior.