Do You Gamble? Gambling Behavior, Problem Symptoms, and Self-Awareness among Social Workers and Other Mental Health Providers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose To explore the personal gambling behavior and problem symptoms of social workers and other mental health providers to gauge their level of self-awareness, an important prerequisite to identifying and assisting clients who gamble. Method A survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 2,317 social workers and other mental health providers. Results Bivariate and regression analyses found that than 76% of participants reported gambling in the past year, and nearly 30% gambled at moderate or high frequency. About 5% reported one or more problem gambling symptom. Nearly 78% of participants, endorsing between two and ten gambling activities, denied they gambled, and 23% gambled at moderate to high frequency. Overall, 55% of all participants with at least one problem gambling symptom denied gambling. Discussion/Conclusion It is critical for providers to receive training and education to understand their own gambling behaviors and problem symptoms, which could adversely impact the therapeutic relationship.