A Prospective Study of Problem and Regular Nonproblem Gamblers Living in the Community (original) (raw)
Related papers
The New Zealand national survey of problem and pathological gambling
Journal of Gambling Studies, 1996
In New Zealand, awareness of gambling-related problems has increased in association with the legalization of new forms of gambling. This paper presents the methods and selected results from a national survey of gambling and problem gambling completed in New Zealand in 1991. While the primary aim of the study was to determine the extent of problem gambling in New Zealand, the study included a second phase intended to assess the validity and reliability of the widely-used South Oaks Gambling Screen as well as to examine other aspects of problematic involvement in gambling. The results of the two-phase study in New Zealand show that problem gamblers in different countries are remarkably similar in demographic terms as well as with regard to other risk factors associated with problematic gambling involvement. The New Zealand study of problem gambling points the way toward important research topics that will require further exploration in the furore. New Zealand is a South Pacific country of approximately 3.4 million people of predominantly British and Maori descent. Since its colonization midway through last century, gambling has played a significant
Changes in risky gambling prevalence among a New Zealand population cohort
International Gambling Studies, 2016
Evidence suggests that problem gambling is an unstable state where gamblers move into and out of risk over time. This article looks at longitudinal changes in risky gambling and the factors associated with an increased risk (measured by the Problem Gambling Severity Index [PGSI]) in the current New Zealand context, which has experienced a doubling of the electronic gaming machine (EGM) market over the last two decades. Respondents from a nationally representative baseline sample (n = 2672) were recontacted two years later to assess changes in gambling behaviours. Among the 901 respondents reached at follow-up, average gambling risk increased over time, and the prevalence of those who had at least some level of gambling risk (i.e. low-risk or greater) more than doubled (from 4.7% to 12.4%). The majority (80.2%) of those who were at risk at follow-up had not been at risk at baseline. Multivariate linear regression analyses show that the predictors of low to moderate increased risk include Pacific ethnicity; high neighbourhood deprivation status; baseline frequent, continuous gambler type; baseline PGSI status; and playing EGMs. These findings highlight the need to develop theories of gambling addiction trajectories and to identify the earliest point along the trajectory where public health interventions should occur.
2006
Demographic associations with pathoiogicai gambling are usually based on findings with population samples which include less serious problem gamblers. The present study examined the relative contribution of risk factors for pathological gambling in selected ethnic groups. A questionnaire which included the DSM-IV-TR symptoms of pathological gambling was completed by 345 South Auckland adults. Approximately 92% gambled and 38% of the gamblers met the criterion of at least five symptoms for current probable pathological gambling. Ethnicity and the interaction between gender and ethnicity were significant predictors of pathological gambling, after controlling for regular gambling, number of favourite continuous gambling activities, gender, age and occupation. Males and females were equivalently at high risk in New Zealand European and Maori groups, but not in the Pacific or Asian groups where males were at greater risk. The findings should be treated with caution owing to the non-representative nature of the sample. They suggest, however, that further research, including prospective investigation, is warranted to advance understanding of the development of problem gambling in different ethnic groups.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 2017
This paper describes the design, sampling, recruitment, and data analysis of the prospective, nationally representative New Zealand National Gambling Study. Particular aspects of the study were critical for its success as a longitudinal epidemiologic study, making its methodology beneficial for replication in other jurisdictions. At baseline (2012), 6251 adults were interviewed and followed-up in 2013, 2014, and 2015. An additional cohort of 106 moderate-risk/problem gamblers interviewed at baseline (2014-2015) and follow-up (2015-2016) increased the number of these groups in the study. Measures included gambling commencement, gambling frequency, gambling risk levels, at-risk and problem gambling development (incidence), comorbidity, problem gambling cessation, and relapse. Future stages include a follow-up assessment in 2019 and a qualitative study. The study design enables assessment of population and individual level changes and transitions over time, identification of risk and protective factors, and comparisons with previous similarly designed prospective studies. Methods for enhancing response rates and retention are discussed.
Journal of Gambling Studies, 2006
Objective To determine, using a random telephone survey, the prevalence of various gambling activities among South Australian adults, the prevalence of adult problem gamblers using the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) instrument, and to examine the problem gamblers by demographic and health-related risk factors. Method A random representative sample of South Australian adults selected from the Electronic White Pages. Overall, 6045 interviews were conducted (73.1% response rate) using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) technology. Results Overall, 75.6% (95% CI: 74.5–76.7) of respondents had participated in at least one gambling activity during the last 12 months and 2.0% (95% CI: 1.7–2.4) were identified to be problem gamblers. A wide range of factors was associated with problem gambling at a univariate level, when compared to frequent gamblers. The logistic regression analysis highlighted that problem gamblers were more likely to speak a language other than English, be employed part time and a smoker when compared to frequent gamblers. Problem gamblers were also more likely to have a mental health condition (according to the Kessler 10), have had suicidal thoughts and know of services for gambling problems. Conclusion There is a wide range of characteristics associated with problem gambling in South Australia. All of these factors need addressing during policy development to assist problem gamblers.
Prevalence of gambling and problem gambling in New South Wales
This report contains the results from the 2011 survey (N=10,000 adults) of the prevalence of gambling and problem gambling in New South Wales (NSW). The research was undertaken by Ogilvy Illumination on behalf of the NSW Government. The survey found that 65% of the NSW population had participated in at least one gambling activity in the last 12 months. The most popular gambling activity was lotteries (41%) followed by instant scratch tickets (28%), gaming machines (27%), horse-greyhound races (24%), Keno (14%), sports betting (8%), table games in a casino (7%) and casino or pokies-style games on the Internet (2%). Problem gambling was measured using the Problem Gambling Severity Index. The survey classified 0.8% of adults as problem gamblers, 2.9% as moderate risk gamblers and 8.4% as low risk gamblers. Problem gamblers were significantly more likely to be male, younger (18-24 years and 35-54 years), be single, be divorced/separated/widowed, unemployed, have low educational attainme...
Profiles of problem and non-problem gamblers, depending on their preferred gambling activity
Addiction Research & Theory, 2015
Background and aims: The objective was to compare the gamblers' profiles and practices depending on their preferred gambling activity, especially for two structural characteristics: presence of skill and expected value linked to the game. Another objective was to compare the profiles between non-problem and problem gamblers, and especially to identify how they evolve once problem gambling has emerged. Methods: Six hundred twenty-eight non-problem and problem gamblers were assessed with a structured interview, including sociodemographic characteristics, gambling habits, DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling, gambling-related cognitions, personality profile, psychiatric comorbidities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. We used a stepwise logistic regression with backward elimination to compare gamblers' profiles depending on: (1) the presence of skill in their favourite game, (2) the expected value of their favourite game. Each regression was performed twice, in non-problem and then in problem gamblers. Results: Contrary to what was expected, the gamblers' profiles did not differ in gamblingrelated cognitions according to their chosen game, even at a problematic level of gambling. Problem gamblers of bank games of pure chance showed high levels of persistence and higher frequencies of suicidal risk, problem gamblers of bank games with an element on skill displayed more illegal acts, and gamblers of social games lost their cooperativeness profile on reaching a problematic level of gambling. Conclusions: Significant differences in the profiles of gamblers were identified based on their preferred gambling activity, especially in problem gamblers. Specific therapeutic and protective approaches which could be developed for these different profiles are proposed.
Predictors of gambling and problem gambling in Victoria, Australia
PLOS ONE, 2019
In 2016, the gambling habits of a sample of 3361 adults in the state of Victoria, Australia, were surveyed. It was found that a number of factors that were highly correlated with selfreported gambling frequency and gambling problems were not significant predictors of gambling frequency and problem gambling. The major predictors of gambling frequency were the degree to which family members and peers were perceived to gamble, self-reported approval of gambling, the frequency of discussing gambling offline, and the participant's Canadian Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) score. Age was a significant predictor of gambling frequency for certain types of gambling (e.g. buying lottery tickets). Approximately 91% of the explainable variance in the participant's PGSI score could be explained by just five predictors: Positive Urgency; Frequency of playing poker machines at pubs, hotels or sporting clubs; Participation in online discussions of betting on gaming tables at casinos; Frequency of gambling on the internet, and Overestimating the chances of winning. Based on these findings, suggestions are made as to how gambling-related harm can be reduced.