Top

Journal of Gambling Studies

Published in:

01-12-2021 | Original Paper

The Relationship Between Family Gambling Problems, Other Family Stressors, and Health Indicators in a Large Population-Representative Sample of Australian Adults

Authors: Catherine Tulloch, Matthew Browne, Nerilee Hing, Matthew Rockloff

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 4/2021

Abstract

Purpose

Harms due to excessive gambling can be experienced by gamblers and those close to them. Family gambling problems (FGPs) are currently under-researched, particularly in population-representative samples. This study aimed to identify prevalence, risk factors, and the complex of stressors and health-related consequences associated with FGPs, as well as isolating the impact of FGPs on physical and psychological health problems.

Methods

We analysed data from the National Health Survey 2011–13, a large (N = 15,475) nationally representative sample of Australian adults. Participants reported on the presence of 14 family stressors (including FGPs), self-assessed health status, and risky health behaviours. Psychological impact was measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-10, as well as several indicators of the presence of mental health problems.

Results

Overall, 1.7% of households reported a FGP. Interviewees in these households reported three times the number of other stressors than those without a FGP. In addition, they were around eight times more likely to be experiencing other addictions (drug and alcohol related problems) and stressors associated with socially deviant behaviours (trouble with police, abuse or violent crime, and witness to violence). Once age, gender, socioeconomic disadvantage, and other stressors were controlled for, FGPs significantly predicted lower self-assessed health and higher psychological distress.

Conclusions

FGPs occur within a complex of other addictions and stressors, impacting the quality of life of people close to problem gambling. The findings are discussed in relation to their support for General Strain Theory (Agnew, Criminology 30:47–87, 1992).

Afifi, T., Cox, B., Martens, P., Sareen, J., & Enns, M. (2010). The relationship between problem gambling and mental and physical health correlates among a nationally representative sample of Canadian women. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 101(2), 171–175. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404366.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Agnew, R. (1992). Foundation for a general strain theory of crime and delinquency. Criminology, 30, 47–87. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.1992.tb01093.x.CrossRef

Agnew, R., Brezina, T., Wright, J. P., & Cullen, F. T. (2002). Strain, personality traits, and delinquency: Extending general strain theory. Criminology, 40(1), 43–72. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2002.tb00949.x.CrossRef

Andrews, G., & Slade, T. (2001). Interpreting scores on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 25(6), 494–497. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-842X.2001.tb00310.x.CrossRefPubMed

Armstrong, A., & Carroll, M. (2017). Gambling activity in Australia: Findings from wave 15 of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. Melbourne, VIC: Australian Gambling Research Centre, Australian Institute of Family Studies Retrieved from www.aifs.gov.au/agrc/publications/gambling-activity-australia.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2013a). Australian Health Survey: Users’ Guide, 2011–13. cat. no. 4363.0.55.001. Retrieved from www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4363.0.55.001Main+Features12011-13?OpenDocument

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2013b). Census of population and housing: Socio-economic indexes for areas (SEIFA), Australia, 2011. cat. no. 2033.0.55.001. Retrieved from www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/2033.0.55.001main+features100052011

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2013c). National Health Survey, 2011–12. Confidentialised detailed microdata. Findings based on use of ABS Microdata. Retrieved from www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/PrimaryMainFeatures/4363.0.55.001?OpenDocument

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2015a). Australian Health Survey: Users’ guide, 2011–13, Financial stress. cat. no. 4363.0.55.001. Retrieved from www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4485F131572062FCCA257B8E00170FAF?opendocument

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2015b). Australian Health Survey: Users’ guide, 2011–13, Family stressors. cat. no. 4363.0.55.001. Retrieved from www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4363.0.55.001Chapter4402011-13

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2015c). Australian Health Survey: Users’ guide, 2011–13, Mental health and wellbeing. cat. no. 4363.0.55.001. Retrieved from www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/C0BCDA6A27B88E6DCA257B8D00229E94?opendocument

Billi, R., Stone, C. A., Marden, P., & Yeung, K. (2014). The Victorian Gambling Study: A longitudinal study of gambling and health in Victoria, 2008–2012. Melbourne, VIC: Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Retrieved from www.responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au.

Black, D., Shaw, M., McCormick, B., & Allen, J. (2012a). Marital status, childhood maltreatment, and family dysfunction: A controlled study of pathological gambling. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 73(10), 1293–1297. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.12m07800.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Black, D. W., Shaw, M. C., McCormick, B. A., & Allen, J. (2012b). Marital status, childhood maltreatment, and family dysfunction: A controlled study of pathological gambling. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 73(10), 1293–1297. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.12m07800.CrossRef

Blaszczynski, A., & Nower, L. (2002). A pathways model of problem and pathological gambling. Addiction, 97(5), 487–499. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1360-0443.2002.00015.x.CrossRefPubMed

Bondolfi, G., Osiek, C., & Ferrero, F. (2000). Prevalence estimates of pathological gambling in Switzerland. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 101(6), 473–475. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0447.2000.101006473.x.CrossRefPubMed

Browne, M., & Rockloff, M. J. (2018). Prevalence of gambling-related harm provides evidence for the prevention paradox. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 7(2), 410–422. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.7.2018.41.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Chan, E., Dowling, N., Jackson, A., & Shek, D. (2016). Gambling related family coping and the impact of problem gambling on families in Hong Kong. Asian Journal of Gambling Issues and Public Health, 6(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40405-016-0009-9.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Chou, K.-L., & Afifi, T. O. (2011). Disordered (pathologic or problem) gambling and Axis I psychiatric disorders: Results from the national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions. American Journal of Epidemiology, 173(11), 1289–1297. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwr017.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Department of Justice and Attorney General. (2016–17). Queensland Household Gambling Study: 2016–17. Brisbane, QLD: Queensland Government. Retrieved from www.justice.qld.gov.au/about-us/services/liquor-gaming/about/research.

Dowling, N., Rodda, S., Lubman, D., & Jackson, A. (2014). The impacts of problem gambling on concerned significant others accessing web-based counselling. Addictive Behaviors, 39(8), 1253–1257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.04.011.CrossRefPubMed

Dowling, N., Suomi, A., Jackson, A., & Lavis, T. (2016). Problem gambling family impacts: Development of the problem gambling family impact scale. Journal of Gambling Studies, 32(3), 935–955. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-015-9582-6.CrossRefPubMed

Eitle, D., & Taylor, J. (2010). General strain theory, BIS/BAS levels, and gambling behavior. Deviant Behavior, 32(1), 1–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639620903415992.CrossRef

Forehand, R., Biggar, H., & Kotchick, B. (1998). Cumulative risk across family stressors: Short- and long-term effects for adolescents. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 26(2), 119–128. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022669805492.CrossRefPubMed

Gainsbury, S. M., Russell, A., Hing, N., Wood, R., Lubman, D. I., & Blaszczynski, A. (2014). The prevalence and determinants of problem gambling in Australia: Assessing the impact of interactive gambling and new technologies. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 28(3), 769–779. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036207.CrossRefPubMed

Gaudia, R. (1987). Effects of compulsive gambling on the family. Social Work, 32(3), 254–256. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/32.3.254.CrossRef

Gill, T., Grande, E., & Taylor, A. (2006). Factors associated with gamblers: A population-based cross-sectional study of South Australian adults. Journal of Gambling Studies, 22(2), 143–164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-005-9007-z.CrossRefPubMed

Goodwin, B. C., Browne, M., Rockloff, M., & Rose, J. (2017). A typical problem gambler affects six others. International Gambling Studies, 17(2), 276–289. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2017.1331252.CrossRef

Greco, R., & Curci, A. (2017). Does the general strain theory explain gambling and substance use? Journal of Gambling Studies, 33(3), 919–936. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9654-2.CrossRefPubMed

Griffiths, M., Wardle, H., Orford, J., Sproston, K., & Erens, B. (2010). Gambling, alcohol, consumption, cigarette smoking and health: Findings from the 2007 British Gambling Prevalence Survey. Addiction Research & Theory, 18(2), 208–223. https://doi.org/10.3109/16066350902928569.CrossRef

Hare, S. (2009). A study of gambling in Victoria: Problem gambling from a public health perspective. Melbourne, VIC: Department of Justice, Victoria Retrieved from www.greo.ca/Modules/EvidenceCentre/Details/study-gambling-victoria-problem-gambling-public-health-perspective.

Hare, S. (2015). Study of gambling and health in Victoria. Melbourne, VIC: Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation and Victoria Department of Justice and Regulation Retrieved from www.responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au/resources/publications/study-of-gambling-and-health-in-victoria-findings-from-the-victorian-prevalence-study-2014-72/.

Hartmann, M., & Blaszczynski, A. (2018). The longitudinal relationships between psychiatric disorders and gambling disorders. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 16(1), 16–44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-016-9705-z.CrossRef

Hing, N., Holdsworth, L., Tiyce, M., & Breen, H. (2014). Stigma and problem gambling: Current knowledge and future research directions. International Gambling Studies, 14(1), 64–81. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2013.841722.CrossRef

Hing, N., Russell, A., Tolchard, B., & Nower, L. (2016). Risk factors for gambling problems: An analysis by gender. Journal of Gambling Studies, 32(2), 511–534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-015-9548-8.CrossRefPubMed

Holdsworth, L., Nuske, E., & Hing, N. (2013a). The relationship between gambling, significant life events, co-morbidity and associated social factors. Melbourne, VIC: Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Retrieved from www.responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au.

Holdsworth, L., Nuske, E., Tiyce, M., & Hing, N. (2013b). Impacts of gambling problems on partners: Partners’ interpretations. Asian Journal of Gambling Issues and Public Health, 3(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/2195-3007-3-11.CrossRef

Ioannidis, K., Hook, R., Wickham, K., Grant, J., & Chamberlain, S. (2019). Impulsivity in gambling sisorder and problem gambling: A meta-analysis. Neuropsychopharmacology, 44(8), 1354–1361. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-019-0393-9.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Jauregui, P., Urbiola, I., & Estevez, A. (2016). Metacognition in pathological gambling and its relationship with anxious and depressive symptomatology. Journal of Gambling Studies, 32(2), 675–688. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-015-9552-z.CrossRefPubMed

Kessler, R., Andrews, G., Colpe, L., Hiripi, E., Mroczek, D., Normand, S., et al. (2002). Short screening scales to monitor population prevalences and trends in non-specific psychological distress. Psychological Medicine, 32(6), 959–976. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291702006074.CrossRefPubMed

Kessler, R., Hwang, I., LaBrie, R., Petukhova, M., Sampson, N., Winters, K., et al. (2008). DSM-IV pathological gambling in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Psychological Medicine, 38(9), 1351–1360. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291708002900.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Kourgiantakis, T., Saint-Jacques, M.-C., & Tremblay, J. (2013). Problem gambling and families: A systematic review. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 13(4), 353–372. https://doi.org/10.1080/1533256X.2013.838130.CrossRef

Lorains, F., Cowlishaw, S., & Thomas, S. (2011). Prevalence of comorbid disorders in problem and pathological gambling: Systematic review and meta-analysis of population surveys. Addiction, 106(3), 490–498. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03300.x.CrossRefPubMed

Lupien, S., Mcewen, B., Gunnar, M., & Heim, C. (2009). Effects of stress throughout the lifespan on the brain, behaviour and cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(6), 434–445. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2639.CrossRefPubMed

Miilunpalo, S., Vuori, I., Oja, P., Pasanen, M., & Urponen, H. (1997). Self-rated health status as a health measure: The predictive value of self-reported health status on the use of physician services and on mortality in the working-age population. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 50(5), 517–528. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0895-4356(97)00045-0.CrossRefPubMed

Mitchell Institute. (2019). Parts of Australia stuck in a smoking time warp. Retrieved from http://www.mitchellinstitute.org.au/media-releases/smoking-time-warp/

Morisano, D., Bacher, I., Audrain-Mcgovern, J., & George, T. P. (2009). Mechanisms underlying the comorbidity of tobacco use in mental health and addictive disorders. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 54(6), 356–367. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370905400603.CrossRefPubMed

National Centre for Research Methods (2011). 5.9 What to do if the assumption of proportional odds is not met. Retrieved August 8, 2019, from www.restore.ac.uk/srme/www/fac/soc/wie/research-new/srme/modules/mod5/9/index.html

Orford, J., Copello, A., Velleman, R., & Templeton, L. (2010). Family members affected by a close relative's addiction: The stress-strain-coping-support model. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 17(s1), 36–43. https://doi.org/10.3109/09687637.2010.514801.CrossRef

Patterson, J. M. (2002). Integrating family resilience and family stress theory. Journal of Marriage and Family, 64(2), 349–360. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2002.00349.x.CrossRef

Petry, N., & Oncken, C. (2002). Cigarette smoking is associated with increased severity of gambling problems in treatment-seeking gamblers. Addiction, 97(6), 745–753. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1360-0443.2002.00163.x.CrossRefPubMed

Petry, N., Stinson, F., & Grant, B. (2005). Comorbidity of DSM-IV pathological gambling and other psychiatric disorders: Results from the national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 66(5), 564–574. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.v66n0504.CrossRef

Productivity Commission. (1999). Australia’s gambling industries. Summary, report no. 10, AusInfo, Canberra. Retrieved from www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/gambling/report

Productivity Commission. (2010). Gambling. Report no. 50. Canberra: Productivity Commission Retrieved from www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/gambling-2010/report.

Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. (2018). Australian gambling statistics (34th ed.). Brisbane, QLD: Queensland Government Statitician’s Office Retrieved from www.qgso.qld.gov.au/products/reports/aus-gambling-stats/.

Riley, B. J., Harvey, P., Crisp, B. R., Battersby, M., & Lawn, S. (2018). Gambling-related harm as reported by concerned significant others: A systematic review and meta-synthesis of empirical studies. Journal of Family Studies, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/13229400.2018.1513856.

Rintoul, A., & Deblaquiere, J. (2019). Gambling in suburban Australia. South Bank, VIC: Institute of Family Studies Retrieved from www.aifs.gov.au/agrc/publications/gambling-suburban-australia.

Roberts, A., Coid, J., King, R., Murphy, R., Turner, J., Bowden-Jones, H., et al. (2016). Gambling and violence in a nationally representative sample of UK men. Addiction, 111(12), 2196–2207. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.13522.CrossRefPubMed

Roberts, A., Sharman, S., Coid, J., Murphy, R., Bowden-Jones, H., Cowlishaw, S., et al. (2017). Gambling and negative life events in a nationally representative sample of UK men. Addictive Behaviors, 75, 95–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.07.002.CrossRefPubMed

Salonen, A. H., Castrén, S., Alho, H., & Lahti, T. (2014). Concerned significant others of people with gambling problems in Finland: A cross-sectional population study. BMC Public Health, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-398.

Shakespeare, W. (2016). Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. In B. Mowat & P. Werstine (Eds.), Act IV, Scene V Retrieved from https://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/html/Ham.html#line-1.3.0.

Shaw, M. C., Forbush, K. T., Schlinder, J., Rosenman, E., & Black, D. W. (2007). The effect of pathological gambling on families, marriages, and children. CNS Spectrums, 12(8), 615–622. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1092852900021416.CrossRefPubMed

Siahpush, M., Borland, R., & Scollo, M. (2003). Smoking and financial stress. Tobacco Control, 12(1), 60. https://doi.org/10.1136/tc.12.1.60.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Slade, T., Grove, R., & Burgess, P. (2011). Kessler Psychological Distress Scale: Normative data from the 2007 Australian National Survey of mental health and wellbeing. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 45(4), 308–316. https://doi.org/10.3109/00048674.2010.543653.CrossRef

Sleczka, P., Braun, B., Grüne, B., Bühringer, G., & Kraus, L. (2016). Proactive coping and gambling disorder among young men. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 5(4), 639–648. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.5.2016.080.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Sproston, K., Hing, N., & Palankay, C. (2012). Prevalence of gambling and problem gambling in New South Wales. Retrieved from www.responsiblegambling.nsw.gov.au/research2/research.

Stone, C., Yeung, K., & Billi, R. (2016). The Victorian Gambling Study: a longitudinal study of gambling and health in Victoria 2008-2012. In Technical report two. Social determinants and co-morbidities: Univariate analysis of gamblers. Melbourne, VIC: Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation www.responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au.

Suomi, A., Jackson, A. C., Dowling, N. A., Lavis, T., Patford, J., Thomas, S. A., et al. (2013). Problem gambling and family violence: Family member reports of prevalence, family impacts and family coping. Asian Journal of Gambling Issues and Public Health, 3(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/2195-3007-3-13.CrossRef

Suomi, A., Dowling, N. A., Thomas, S., Abbott, M., Bellringer, M., Battersby, M., et al. (2018). Patterns of family and intimate partner violence in problem gamblers. Journal of Gambling Studies, 35, 465–484. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-018-9768-9.CrossRef

Thomas, S., & Jackson, A. (2008). Risk and protective factors, depression and comorbidities in problem gambling. Report to Beyond Blue. Retrieved from www.easg.org/media/file/conferences/novagorica2008/wednesday/0910/jackson_alun.pdf

Welte, J., Barnes, G., Wieczorek, W., Tidwell, M., & Parker, J. (2001). Alcohol and gambling pathology among U.S. adults: Prevalence, demographic patterns and comorbidity. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 62(5), 706–712. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsa.2001.62.706.CrossRefPubMed

Williams, R. J., Hann, R. G., Schopflocher, D., West, B., McLaughlin, P., White, N., et al. (2015). Quinte longitudinal study of gambling and problem gambling. Report prepared for the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre, Guelph, Ontario. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10133/3641

Title: The Relationship Between Family Gambling Problems, Other Family Stressors, and Health Indicators in a Large Population-Representative Sample of Australian Adults
Authors: Catherine Tulloch
Matthew Browne
Nerilee Hing
Matthew Rockloff
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 4/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-020-09990-x

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

The Relationship Between Family Gambling Problems, Other Family Stressors, and Health Indicators in a Large Population-Representative Sample of Australian Adults

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 4/2021

Frequent Gamblers’ Reasons for and Against Completing a Problem Gambling Screener

Are Comorbid Disorders Associated with Changes in Gambling Activity? A Longitudinal Study of Younger and Older Subjects with DSM-IV Pathological Gambling

Gambling, Family Dysfunction and Psychological Disorders: A Cross- Sectional Study

Public Perceptions of Harm for Nine Popular Gambling Products

Multilevel Contextual Analysis of Poker Cash Game Gambling

Efficacy of a Voluntary Self-exclusion Reinstatement Tutorial for Problem Gamblers