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Journal of Gambling Studies

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01-12-2009 | Original Paper

Comparison of Temperament and Character Between Early- and Late-Onset Korean Male Pathological Gamblers

Authors: Young-Chul Shin, Se-Won Lim, Sam-Wook Choi, Suck Won Kim, Jon E. Grant

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 4/2009

Abstract

Purposes

We investigated differences in temperament and character between early and late onset Korean pathological gamblers to identify whether the age of onset of pathological gambling (PG) could discriminate PG subtypes, like in alcoholism.

Methods

Male subjects (N = 104) with DSM-IV PG were tested with Cloninger’s temperament and character inventory (TCI). We divided patients into two groups: early onset (N = 34) with gambling problems before reaching 25 years old, and late onset (N = 70) with gambling after the age of 25.

Results

Early-onset patients showed a higher score in novelty seeking (NS) and harm avoidance (HA), but lower scores of self-transcendence. There was no difference in reward dependence, persistence, self-directedness, or cooperativeness between two groups. After adjusting for age differences by ANCOVA (using age as a covariate), the early onset group showed a significantly higher score in both HA (F _(1,101) = 4.932, P = 0.029) and NS (F _(1,101) = 3.948, P = 0.050) but not in any other TCI dimensions.

Conclusions

Early- and late-onset Korean male pathological gamblers showed several distinct differences in temperament and character, indicating that age of onset may help discriminate PG subgroups.

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Title: Comparison of Temperament and Character Between Early- and Late-Onset Korean Male Pathological Gamblers
Authors: Young-Chul Shin
Se-Won Lim
Sam-Wook Choi
Suck Won Kim
Jon E. Grant
Publication date: 01-12-2009
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 4/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-009-9125-0

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Comparison of Temperament and Character Between Early- and Late-Onset Korean Male Pathological Gamblers

Abstract

Purposes

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purposes

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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