Abstract
A few studies have examined gambling behavior and problem gambling among minorities and reported higher rates of both participation and gambling problems among particular minority groups in comparison to Whites who gamble. The present study utilized a representative, epidemiological sample of adults in New Jersey to explore gambling behavior, gambling problem severity, substance use, problem behavior, and mental health issues among minorities. Univariate analyses were conducted, comparing Whites (n = 1341) to respondents who identified as Hispanic (n = 394), Black (n = 261), or Asian/other (n = 177). Overall, the highest proportion of Hispanics were high-risk problem gamblers. Hispanic participants were also significantly more likely than other groups to use and abuse substances and to report mental health problems in the past month, behavioral addictions, and/or suicidal ideation in the past year. Primary predictors of White high risk problem gamblers were being young and male with friends or family who gambled, fair to poor health status, substance use, gambling once a week or more both online and in land-based venues, and engaging in a number of gambling activities. In contrast, gender was not a predictor of minority high risk problem gamblers, who were characterized primarily by having friends or family who gambled, gambling online only, having a behavioral addiction and playing instant scratch-offs and gaming machines. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Highlights
Studies have consistently reported high rates of problem gambling among racial and ethnic minorities compared to Whites, though findings differ by geographic location and socioeconomic status: ([Native American] Volberg and Abbott 1997; Zitzow 1996a, b; [Asian] (Marshall et al 2009; Petry et al 2003; Toyama et al 2014); [Hispanic or Latino] Barry et al 2011a; Welte et al 2001; [Black or African American] Barnes et al 2009; Barry et al 2011b; Welte et al 2008)
Welte et al (2017) have noted that adults living in disadvantaged neighborhoods reported the most problem gambling symptoms, studies have yet to explore the predictors of problem gambling versus other adaptive and maladaptive behaviors in these groups apart from religiosity, which serves as a protective factor (Welte et al 2017)
High risk of problem gambling was significantly associated with age, gender, race/ethnicity (Hispanic and Asian/other), marital status, self-assessed health in the past year (Excellent), and past year stress
Summary
Studies have consistently reported high rates of problem gambling among racial and ethnic minorities compared to Whites, though findings differ by geographic location and socioeconomic status: ([Native American] Volberg and Abbott 1997; Zitzow 1996a, b; [Asian] (Marshall et al 2009; Petry et al 2003; Toyama et al 2014); [Hispanic or Latino] Barry et al 2011a; Welte et al 2001; [Black or African American] Barnes et al 2009; Barry et al 2011b; Welte et al 2008).A majority of studies focused on ethnicity investigated rates of gambling and problem gambling among Blacks, including African Americans. Overall, being young, male, and non-Hispanic Black was associated with high rates of gambling disorder in the U.S National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) data (Kessler et al 2008). These findings generally mirror sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidity patterns found in earlier studies (Petry et al 2005; Welte et al 2001) as well as in special sub-groups of Black gamblers ([hotline callers] Barry et al 2008; [casino self-excluders] Nower and Blaszczynski 2006; [homeless individuals] Nower et al 2015; [veterans] Stefanovics et al 2017). These findings generally mirror sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidity patterns found in earlier studies (Petry et al 2005; Welte et al 2001) as well as in special sub-groups of Black gamblers ([hotline callers] Barry et al 2008; [casino self-excluders] Nower and Blaszczynski 2006; [homeless individuals] Nower et al 2015; [veterans] Stefanovics et al 2017). Welte et al (2017) have noted that adults living in disadvantaged neighborhoods reported the most problem gambling symptoms, studies have yet to explore the predictors of problem gambling versus other adaptive and maladaptive behaviors in these groups apart from religiosity, which serves as a protective factor (Welte et al 2017)
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