Gambling at the time of COVID-19: Results from interviews in an Italian sample of gamblers. (2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cataldo, Ilaria; Casonato, Eleonora; Levari, Ermelinda; Negri, Attilio; Simonato, Pierluigi; Tomasi, Giulia; Branz, Giovanna; Coppola, Aurora; Gianfranceschi, Pietro; Leoni, Eva; Mistretta, Pietro; Stefani, Martina; Vanzetta, Miriam; Franceschini, Anna; Esposito, Gianluca; Corazza, Ornella
• Is Part Of: Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health. Volume 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Gambling -- Online gambling -- Mental health -- Depression -- Behavioral addiction -- Internet addiction; AMA Auto Mutuo Aiuto -- APSS Aziwnda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari -- HAM-D Hamilton Depressions Rating Scale -- SERD Servizio Dipendenze -- VLT Video Lottery Terminal; Substance abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Psychotropic drugs -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodical; Periodicals; 615.788
• DOI: 10.1016/j.etdah.2022.100032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2667-1182

Abstract

Abstract: The coronavirus pandemic affected the life of those suffering from addictive behaviors often confined to prolonged periods of self-isolation. To explore the variation of symptoms related to gambling, 46 outpatients of the mental health services in the Trento Province were invited to take part in a phone interview at the start of the national lockdown. Although only 2.17% increased gambling activity during this period, half of the sample (50.00%) experienced irritability, mood fluctuation (43.48%) and anxiety (39.13%). Follow-up studies should assess modifications in their behaviors that occurred after the reopening of gambling venues.