The genetic contributions of personality traits to disordered gambling

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Author(s): Spychala, Kellyn M. ; Gizer, Ian R. ; Davis, Christal N. ; Dash, Genevieve F. ; Piasecki, Thomas M. ; Slutske, Wendy S.

Journal: Addiction

Year Published: 2021

Date Added: October 28, 2021

People with disordered gambling (GD) tend to have certain personality traits. Personality traits and GD are both influenced by genetics. The portion of one’s genome responsible for certain personality traits has been identified. The researchers of this study wanted to know if they could link the genetic components of personality traits to GD. Data were analyzed from a longitudinal study in the UK that assessed participants at three time points (at ages 17, 20, and 24). The researchers found that the genetic components of two personality traits were related to DG. Greater levels of neuroticism were associated with more DG symptoms. Lower agreeableness levels were also associated with more DG symptoms. These results indicate that part of the relationship between personality traits and DG is due to shared genetics.

Citation: Spychala, K. M., Gizer, I. R., Davis, C. N., Dash, G. F., Piasecki, T. M., & Slutske, W. S. (2021). Predicting disordered gambling across adolescence and young adulthood from polygenic contributions to Big 5 personality traits in a UK birth cohort. Addiction. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15648

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15648

Keywords: adolescents ; Big Five personality test ; disordered gambling ; genetics ; longitudinal studies ; young adults

Topics: Biological Factors ; Children and Youth ; Personality ; Priority Populations

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological - Personality and Temperament ; Psychological Factors ; Psychological - Lifespan Development ; Biological Factors ; Biological - Genetic Inheritance

Study Design: Secondary Data Analysis

Geographic Coverage: United Kingdom

Study Population: 4729 participants who were of European ancestry and had genotype data; 1535 participants had observations across three waves at ages 17, 20, and 24 years old

Sampling Procedure: Data came from The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). This study focused on only the children with assessments for disordered gambling, had genotype data available, and were of European ancestry.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by the Responsible Gambling Fund, GambleAware, the International Center for Responsible Gaming, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.