Problem and pathological gamblers (PPGs) present with various forms of psychopathology and maladaptive personality traits. It is unknown how psychopathology and personality traits are related in PPGs. Furthermore, some suggest the heterogeneity of PPGs supports classification of gamblers into distinct subtypes. The current study examined the utility of the internalizing-externalizing model (e.g., Krueger, 1999) in conceptualizing the structure of psychopathology in gamblers, and explored differences in gambling subtypes derived from the pathways model of PPG (Blaszczynski u26 Nower, 2002). One hundred and fifty (N = 150; 50% male) PPGs were recruited from the community, and assessed using measures of psychopathology, personality, and gambling behaviour. Results suggest the structure of psychopathology in PPGs consists of latent internalizing and externalizing dimensions associated with negative emotionality and impulsivity, respectively, and behaviourally conditioned (or low pathology) and antisocial impulsivist (or externalizing) gamblers can be differentiated from one another. Clinical implications of results, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.
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