Impulsivity and pathological gambling across depressive versus bipolar disorders

Impulsivity has been implicated in the development of pathological gambling (PG); sensation seeking and urgency in particular have predicted gambling pathology in undergraduate and psychiatric samples. In light of the relevance of both depressed and elevated mood to impulsivity and gambling, the components of impulsivity associated with PG across mood disorders warrants investigation. The aim of the current investigation was to examine the association between impulsivity and gambling pathology severity across depressive versus bipolar disorders. A total of 275 participants with lifetime depressive or bipolar disorder completed measures of impulsivity and gambling. Urgency was consistently associated with gambling pathology indicators; lack of perseverance was specifically associated with gambling pathology within participants with depressive disorders. Reckless action during negative mood is associated with gambling pathology across mood disorders, whereas difficulty remaining focused is associated with PG solely within depressive disorders. Impulsivity and affective comorbidity may inform current understanding of PG.