Journal of Gambling Studies最新文献

Gambling Disorder (GD), diagnostically, is a unidimensional construct where each additional symptom corresponds to increased severity. Many individuals experience addiction symptoms in specific symptom clusters, with membership to one profile of symptoms or other better representing disorder severity than raw symptom counts. This study explored whether similarly informative symptom clusters exist among adults seeking treatment for gambling harms. The sample included 440 adults seeking treatment for gambling disorder who completed an assessment of diagnostic criteria at intake. Three distinct classes were identified through a latent class analysis of GD criteria: Escape and Chasing, Preoccupation and Distress, and All symptoms. The All-symptoms class showed the highest elevation of cognitive distortions but shared similar levels of self-efficacy with the Preoccupation and Distress class. The Escape and Chasing class was found to exhibit the highest level of gambling-related self-efficacy and shared similar levels of cognitive distortions with the Preoccupation and Distress class. Significant differences were found in the demographic variables of having children under the age of 18 and employment status. Results show symptom profiles that run counter to the DSM-5's conceptualization of GD and indicate heterogeneity of individuals seeking treatment from gambling harms. Future areas of research are discussed.

Numerous studies report sex differences in the prevalence of problem gambling (PG), but the etiological basis of these differences across recognized risk factors is unclear. Data from a large, nationally-stratified Canadian survey (n = 10,044) were used to explore whether sex moderates relationships between PG and its risk factors, including (1) gambling participation, (2) gambling motivations, (3) mental health, and (4) substance use. The sample was 53.6% female, had a mean age of 52.4 years (SD = 15.4), and 61.8% had Northern/Western European heritage. The magnitude of the relationship between sixteen (44%) study variables and PG varied between sexes, though these effects were generally small. These variables include: (1) past month participation in lotteries, electronic gambling machines, sports betting, bingo, and financial speculation; (2) all measures of gambling intensity (breadth, frequency, expenditure); (3) enhancement and coping motivations for gambling; and (4) five additional substance use and mental health variables. With the exception of past month bingo participation, posttraumatic stress disorder, history of substance-related problems, negative life events, and impulsivity, these effects were larger for females relative to males. Finally, multivariate analyses revealed notable differences in the risk factors for PG, with variation in male PG being uniquely explained by gambling to develop skill, substance use disorder, negative life events, and age, and variation in female PG being uniquely explained by online gambling, breadth of gambling involvement, and coping motives. These findings highlight potential sex-specific pathways to PG that should be the subject of future research.

Gambling disorder (GD) poses a significant public health problem, with treatment access frequently hindered by barriers. This study sought to identify the unique internal and external barriers encountered by military personnel with GD using a qualitative descriptive method. Twenty-eight United States military veterans and service members (SMs) were recruited through purposeful sampling strategies and interviewed using a semi-structured interview format. Content analysis revealed two main themes: "Emotional Suppression in Military Culture" reflecting military cultural norms that emphasize strength, discipline, and emotional control, which were internalized by the participants and created significant internal barriers; "Structural Ignorance of Gambling Problems" uncovers external barriers such as the normalization of gambling, insufficient recognition of gambling's addictive nature within military and Veterans Affairs (VA) settings, and inadequate treatment options within the VA healthcare system. The study underscores the complex interplay between cultural norms and institutional practices and proposes policy recommendations to improve help-seeking behaviors for veterans and SMs.

Individuals' beliefs and perceptions about gambling are known to influence gambling behaviours. However, the associations between gambling attitudes, gambling frequency, and problem gambling are unclear within the existing literature. The study aimed to elucidate the relationship between gambling attitudes, gambling behaviour, and problem gambling, using responses to the 2018 Northern Territory Gambling Prevalence and Wellbeing Survey. Data from 1629 participants (Mage = 49.87 years; SD = 14.58 years; 51.63% female) who completed the Attitudes Towards Gambling Survey (ATGS), Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), and reported their gambling frequency were analysed. Prior to testing for moderation of the attitude-frequency path by PGSI risk category, the measurement model of the ATGS was assessed for invariance and one item was removed to improve its psychometric properties. Problem gambling severity moderated the relationship between attitudes towards gambling and gambling frequency. The relationship between attitudes towards gambling and gambling behaviour strengthened at higher levels of problem gambling. Results indicate that the higher the risk of problem gambling, the stronger the influence of gambling attitudes on gambling frequency. These findings are discussed in relation to cognitive dissonance, rationalisation, gambling motivation, and the potential implications for problem gambling prevention strategies.

This study aimed to investigate suicide and general mortality in individuals with gambling disorder and to evaluate the effect of gambling disorder on mortality and death from suicide. This is a Swedish nationwide case-control, register based study with a ratio of 1:2. Controls were matched on gender, age and municipality. Cases were defined as all adults with a diagnosis of gambling disorder in Swedish in-patient and/or specialized out-patient health care 2005-2019. The total population included 10,782 individuals. Multifactor Cox regression stratified for sex was used to analyze risk factors for suicide mortality and general mortality. Suicide mortality was higher amongst cases, with 41 (1.2%) individuals passing away due to suicide vs. 22 (0.3%) of the controls (p < 0.001). In the regression model, gambling disorder was not significantly associated with suicide mortality, which was associated with substance use disorder and low education in men and for women the model could not draw conclusions on predicting factors. Mortality was also elevated in cases; 94 of the deceased were controls (1.3%) and 132 were cases (3.8%, p < 0.001). In the regression model gambling disorder was not significantly associated with mortality, this was predicted by socioeconomic status, increasing age, low education level, somatic comorbidity, substance use disorder and previous intentional self-harm in men and for women by increasing age and somatic comorbidity. In conclusion, gambling disorder is associated with increased mortality and suicide death. Comorbid disorders and socioeconomic status appear to be important reasons for the increased mortality.

With a global rise in online gambling platforms, medical undergraduates are increasingly engaging themselves in gambling as a means of surviving and escaping challenges peculiar to their course of study. The objective of this research was to determine online gambling prevalence among Nigerian medical (MBBS) and dental (BDS) students to gain knowledge and understanding of the factors influencing this behavior. A cross-sectional study design was employed using the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), which recruited medical and dental students from selected medical and dental schools involving all geo-political zones in Nigeria. Descriptive analysis was carried out on the socio-demographic factors, Binary Logistic Regression analysis was done between the various factors affecting online gambling. A total of 403 students from 12 universities completed the study. All analyses were done with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The mean SOGS score was 1.35 ± 2.49. The overall prevalence of gambling was 40.19%; however, only 10.42% had a possible gambling disorder. Participation in sports betting was significantly associated with gender, age, and with MBBS students at an alpha level < 0.05. Males were more likely to bet on sports than females (8.67%, χ² = 57.79, p < 0.001). Age-wise, betting was highest among those above 30 years (78.57%, χ² = 20.77, p < 0.001). The location of medical school also showed significant variation, with the highest participation in sports betting seen at the University of Calabar and University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus ( χ² = 40.49, p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis result showed significance in respect to the reference with ages 21-25, 26-30, above 30 years (p > z = 0.05, 0.226, 0.004, in respect to reference age 16-20), males (p > z = 0), source of income, Parents/Family, Loans, Scholarships, Government, or third party organizations (p > z = 0.107, 0.164, 0.208), course of study MBBS (p > z = 0.031) respectively. This study found that online gambling is present among Nigerian medical and dental students, with associations observed between gambling behavior and factors such as age, gender, financial dependency, and family history of gambling. Sports betting was the most common form of gambling reported. While most students gambled with relatively small amounts, about 10% of respondents exhibited behaviors consistent with a possible gambling disorder. Awareness of the ills of this habit needs to be heightened and more research is needed on the psychological and physical effects in our population.

Emerging research has highlighted potential associations between micro-transaction use and problematic videogame and gambling behaviour. An increasingly prominent theory highlights that self-determined motivations and basic psychological needs may play crucial roles in the development of problematic videogame and gambling behaviour. However, literature discussing the role that micro-transaction use has in this relationship is scarce. The present study examined the role of micro-transactions in the relationship between self-determined motivations for gaming and gambling and problematic behaviour (internet gaming disorder and problem gambling severity). A sample of 370 participants (74.1% male, M_age = 28.24 years, SD = 7.88) answered questions related to their gaming and gambling motivations, basic psychological needs, micro-transaction use (i.e., type of micro-transaction, expenditure, and frequency of use), internet gaming disorder, and problem gambling. The present study used structural equation modelling methods to test relationships between these variables. The results indicated positive associations between extrinsic gaming and gambling motivations and frequency of micro-transaction use. Frequency of micro-transaction use (i) partially mediated the relationship between extrinsic gambling motivations and problem gambling severity, and (ii) fully mediated the relationship between externally regulated gaming motivations and problem gambling severity. Expenditure on micro-transactions and basic psychological needs were not found to be significant variables in the present study. Potential explanations for the findings, including a lack of self-esteem and a need to boost ego, social pressure, and rapid reward processes, are discussed. The implications and applications of the research are also discussed, focusing on limit setting and policy development focusing on frequency of micro-transaction use.

Gambling-related harm can extend to family members and friends but few population-representative studies have investigated affected other (AO) prevalence estimates and profiles in the general population. Using data from the 5000 adult respondents in the Fourth Social and Economic Impact Study of Gambling in Tasmania, this study aimed to: (1) identify prevalence estimates of AO status and professional help-seeking; (2) establish the socio-demographic and gambling profiles of AOs; (3) extend the growing literature examining negative mental health characteristics experienced by AOs, after accounting for socio-demographic characteristics and other potential sources of harm; and (4) explore the degree to which gender moderates these relationships. Results found that 1 in 20 adults (5.11%, 95% CI: 4.33, 6.01) reported past-year AO status but only 1 in 7 AOs (14.15%, 95% CI: 9.01, 21.52) had ever sought help in relation to another person's gambling (i.e., < 1% of all adults). AOs were significantly more likely than non-AOs to be younger, Australian-born, employed, and living in households with children. They were significantly more likely than non-AOs to report depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, binge drinking, tobacco use, and drug use, even after controlling for socio-demographics and other potential sources of harm. Finally, they were more likely to report their own gambling participation, problems, and harm but only 2.20% (95% CI: 0.69, 6.78) had ever sought help for their own gambling. These findings suggest that a considerable proportion of AOs in the general population may benefit from support to improve their own mental health and address their own gambling harm.

Gambling disorder (GD) has a significant impact on individuals, the healthcare system, and the society. The vast majority of individuals with GD do not use healthcare services for their GD. Since primary care is the first point of contact, exploring barriers to GD treatment is of utmost importance. For this systematic review, we searched five major databases up to October 2024 and included empirical studies describing the practices of general practitioners (GPs) and emergency department physicians regarding GD, as well as their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about GD management. We retained six quantitative and six qualitative articles that reported GP data on GD management; however, no studies conducted in emergency departments met our inclusion criteria. The narrative synthesis revealed that none of the GPs routinely screened for GD, only 7-14% treated GD themselves, and approximately half referred these individuals to mental health specialists. While more than half of GPs were knowledgeable about GD-related harms, only 17-38% were confident in their knowledge of GD or care pathways. Although over 65% acknowledged their potential role in managing GD, multiple barriers to care were identified. These included negative attitudes, such as attributing gambling-related harms to individual character weakness, insufficient training on GD screening tools and treatment modalities, and the low prioritization of GD treatment within the healthcare system. Given the higher risk of GD among individuals with mental health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety) and substance use disorders, prioritizing GD screening and treatment for these high-risk groups in primary care is essential.