Impact Of Problem Gambling Research Articles

The Impact of Problem Gambling on Families and Relationship Partners: A Scoping Literature Review

It has been determined that family members and relationship partners of persons with gambling disorders face a variety of problems. Since their problems have not yet been summarized in the literature, we conducted a scoping review to address this issue, and focused on the studies of problems faced by family members and partners of those with gambling disorders and studies on the effects of gambling problems on family members and partners. We searched electronic databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, and MEDLINE) and the reference lists of included studies published up to February 15, 2021 and extracted 2,760 studies. These studies were examined for eligibility, and yielded 101 items that met our predefined criteria, all of which were reviewed. Overall, this review found that (1) the presence of gamblers in families was related to increased gambling or other addiction related behaviors among family members; (2) a variety of intra-family conflicts were likely to arise between gamblers and their families and partners; (3) the presence of gamblers in families increased the risk of violence and abuse for family members, partners, and gamblers themselves; and (4) gambling problems generated a variety of physical and mental health problems in gamblers’ families as well as among others in their proximity. In the future, it will be important to establish beneficial support and treatment methods by using the difficulties identified by this review as outcomes in the treatment of gamblers, along with their families and partners.

The Impact of Problem Gambling on the Female Spouses of Male Chinese Gamblers in Hong Kong: Emergence of a Multiple-Self Model

Although problematic gambling is a widespread problem among Chinese populations across the globe, there is limited research on how it affects the female spouses of male Chinese problem gamblers. This paper contains findings from a wider grounded theory study which explored the experiences and coping strategies of Chinese spouses of problem gamblers in Hong Kong. Analysis of narratives from 23 female spouses of male gamblers revealed nine categories of impact. Based on these impacts and taking a constructivist perspective, we propose a culturally informed multiple-self model for understanding participants’ perceptions, interpretations, and constructions of the impacts. Implications for assessment, treatment, and directions for future research are discussed.

The impact of problem gambling: are there enough services available for families with children?

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to contribute to research on the help-seeking behaviours of the concerned significant others of gamblers. Study designThis is a qualitative study. MethodsThe message data were written by 40 partners of gamblers and collected from a Finnish-language online discussion forum designed for problem gamblers and their significant others. The method used was qualitative content analysis. ResultsThe partners of gamblers who contacted the forum sought help and peer support. The discovery of gambling and debts caused shame, fear of stigmatisation and trust issues among the partners. For many partners, managing the financial matters in the household was a means of saving the family from incurring further debts. The partners had to cope with mixed feelings towards the gambler: some wanted to give their family a chance, whereas others were concerned about their children's well-being and decided to divorce the gambler. ConclusionsAs long as family members cannot find help for themselves owing to a lack of awareness or fear of stigmatisation, they may suffer from health inequality and social marginalisation.

Gambling related family coping and the impact of problem gambling on families in Hong Kong.

Despite substantial evidence that problem gambling is associated with a wide range of family difficulties, limited effort has been devoted to studying the negative impacts on family members as a result of problem gambling and how they cope and function under the impacts of problem gambling in Chinese communities. Among the very few Chinese-specific gambling-related family impact studies, none have examined how gambling-related family coping responses are related to gambling-related family impacts. Based on a sample of treatment-seeking Chinese family members of problem gamblers, this study aimed to explore: (1) the demographic characteristics and health and psychological well-being of the family members; (2) the gambling-related family member impacts (active disturbance, worrying behavior); (3) the family coping strategies (engaged, tolerant-inactive and withdrawal coping); (4) the relationship between gambling-related family member impacts, psychological distress and family coping strategies. It was hypothesized that positive significant relationships would be found between family member impacts, psychological distress and family coping strategies. From March 2011 to February 2012, a total of 103 family members of problem gamblers who sought help from Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Even Centre in Hong Kong were interviewed. Results showed that a majority of family members were partners or ex-partners of the gambler with low or no income. A large proportion of participants reported moderate to high psychological distress (72.6 %), poor to fair general health (60.2 %), and poor to neither good nor bad quality of life (61.1 %). Family member impacts were positively significantly correlated to all family coping strategies and psychological distress. Tolerant-inactive coping had the strongest relationships with family member impacts and psychological distress. Strong relationships between family member impacts and psychological distress were also found. The results provide preliminary support for aspects of the stress–strain–coping–support model in the Chinese culture. It is suggested that family member-specific treatment groups targeting family coping are required to alleviate the level of negative impacts of gambling disorder on family members.

The concerned significant others of people with gambling problems in a national representative sample in Sweden - a 1 year follow-up study.

BackgroundResearch into the impact of problem gambling on close social networks is scarce with the majority of studies only including help-seeking populations. To date only one study has examined concerned significant others (CSOs) from an epidemiological perspective and it did not consider gender. The aim of this study is to examine the health, social support, and financial situations of CSOs in a Swedish representative sample and to examine gender differences.MethodsA population study was conducted in Sweden in 2008/09 (n = 15,000, response rate 63%). Respondents were defined as CSOs if they reported that someone close to them currently or previously had problems with gambling. The group of CSOs was further examined in a 1-year follow up (weighted response rate 74% from the 8,165 respondents in the original sample). Comparisons were also made between those defined as CSOs only at baseline (47.7%, n = 554) and those defined as CSOs at both time points.ResultsIn total, 18.2% of the population were considered CSOs, with no difference between women and men. Male and female CSOs experienced, to a large extent, similar problems including poor mental health, risky alcohol consumption, economic hardship, and arguments with those closest to them. Female CSOs reported less social support than other women and male CSOs had more legal problems and were more afraid of losing their jobs than other men. One year on, several problems remained even if some improvements were found. Both male and female CSOs reported more negative life events in the 1 year follow-up.ConclusionsAlthough some relationships are unknown, including between the CSOs and the individuals with gambling problems and the causal relationships between being a CSO and the range of associated problems, the results of this study indicate that gambling problems not only affect the gambling individual and their immediate close family but also the wider social network. A large proportion of the population can be defined as a CSO, half of whom are men. While male and female CSOs share many common problems, there are gender differences which need to be considered in prevention and treatment.

Impact of problem gambling on financial, emotional and social well-being of Singaporean families

Problem gambling has a profound impact on family members. While this has been previously documented, this paper reports on the first study to consider the extent of this impact in Asian societies where the family continues to be a very important basis for social organization. This study, based on in-depth interviews with 50 Singaporeans with a family member who is a problem or pathological gambler, examines how their financial, emotional and social well-being is impinged upon by gambling. The enormous losses of savings, property and lifestyle, the emotional tensions based on constant harassment from moneylenders, the threats of suicide by the gambler and the distancing of social networks place family members of problem gamblers in a vulnerable state. The qualitative data in this paper fleshes out the lived experience of family members and reveals the extent to which the family is mobilized in Asian societies to cope with problem gambling. While the impact of problem gambling on families is similar across societies, routine mobilization of the extended family and the greater role of public shame and embarrassment in dictating Asian families' responses underscore the need for specialized services in these societies to assist family members to better cope with the financial, emotional and social strains caused by problem gambling.

Economic and Psychosocial Impact of Problem Gambling in South Korea

Abstract The study examined the harmful effects of casino gambling in Korean society from economic and psychosocial perspectives. Interviews with gambling addicts were conducted in order to gain insight into the impacts of pathological gambling. Using snowball sampling, 12 gambling addicts were recruited in Kohan, South Korea. Findings of the study suggest that gambling addicts suffer various harmful effects, including an increased susceptibility to financial and employment problems, such as debt and accumulated interest, bankruptcy, job loss, and decreased productivity. Participants in the study complained of physiological problems, including headaches, high blood pressure, arthritis, indigestion, a stomach disorder, and rapid weight loss. Common psychological problems reported included symptoms of high-level stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and suicidal ideation. For some interviewees who smoked and drank alcohol, consumption of these substances increased in response to their gambling. All participants reported disrupted relationships with their immediate family, relatives and friends. Moreover, they experienced stigma, discrimination, and feelings of alienation. With regard to criminal and legal problems, they were exposed to increased risk of litigation and violence. Clinical and political attention should be paid to the issue of gambling addiction in Korea, with a view to the prevention and treatment of gambling disorders. Management of gambling problems needs to consider economic and financial wellbeing, employment, physical and psychological health, interpersonal relationships, and the risk of criminal involvement and other legal issues.

Economic and Psychosocial Impact of Problem Gambling in South Korea

Economic and Psychosocial Impact of Problem Gambling in South Korea

Gambling problems in the family – A stratified probability sample study of prevalence and reported consequences

BackgroundPrior studies on the impact of problem gambling in the family mainly include help-seeking populations with small numbers of participants. The objective of the present stratified probability sample study was to explore the epidemiology of problem gambling in the family in the general population.MethodsMen and women 16–74 years-old randomly selected from the Norwegian national population database received an invitation to participate in this postal questionnaire study. The response rate was 36.1% (3,483/9,638). Given the lack of validated criteria, two survey questions ("Have you ever noticed that a close relative spent more and more money on gambling?" and "Have you ever experienced that a close relative lied to you about how much he/she gambles?") were extrapolated from the Lie/Bet Screen for pathological gambling. Respondents answering "yes" to both questions were defined as Concerned Significant Others (CSOs).ResultsOverall, 2.0% of the study population was defined as CSOs. Young age, female gender, and divorced marital status were factors positively associated with being a CSO. CSOs often reported to have experienced conflicts in the family related to gambling, worsening of the family's financial situation, and impaired mental and physical health.ConclusionProblematic gambling behaviour not only affects the gambling individual but also has a strong impact on the quality of life of family members.

Sentencing Problem Gamblers in New Zealand

Any recognition of the societal impact of problem gambling necessarily implies that there is an effect on the incidence of crime. However current New Zealand Department of Corrections statistics, which extensively chart drug and alcohol abuse in prisoners, lack any reference to the incidence of gambling addiction. The invisibility of gambling addition, as a mitigating factor in criminal sentencing, arises from a misunderstanding of agency in addiction which leads to drug and alcohol abuse being factored into sentence programmes while problem gambling is often viewed as a matter of choice. There is no principle of sentencing which distinguishes between these various addictions and the failure to factor gambling addiction in sentencing decreases the likelihood of rehabilitation and so increases the likelihood of re-offending.