Yes, several factors may predispose individuals to develop gambling disorder, including loss of a parent by death, separation, divorce, or desertion before a child is 15 years of age. Other contributing factors may include inappropriate parental discipline (absence, inconsistency or harshness of discipline), exposure to and availability of gambling activities for adolescents, a family emphasis on material and financial status, and a lack of family emphasis on saving, planning and budgeting.
Several studies have suggested that gamblers’ risk-taking behavior may have an underlying neurobiological cause related to an individual’s brain chemistry.
Mental Health Library Sources:
Information included in all topics of the Mental Health Library comes from the Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria From DSM-5 and Kaplan & Sadock’s Concise Textbook of Clinical Psychiatry. Complete diagnostic and treatment information may be found within these publications.
Disclaimer:
Information within the Mental Health Library is not intended to be used for self-diagnosis purposes. Rather, it is provided as a public educational service to make people aware of mental health conditions. Please consult a qualified mental health professional for a diagnosis of any suspected mental health illness.
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