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Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies 3/2018

01-09-2018 | Original Paper

Testing the Emotional Vulnerability Pathway to Problem Gambling in Culturally Diverse University Students

Authors: Sandra Hum, Sherilene M. Carr

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 3/2018

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Abstract

Loneliness and adapting to an unfamiliar environment can increase emotional vulnerability in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) university students. According to Blaszczynski and Nower’s pathways model of problem and pathological gambling, this emotional vulnerability could increase the risk of problem gambling. The current study examined whether loneliness was associated with problem gambling risk in CALD students relative to their Australian peers. Additionally, differences in coping strategies were examined to determine their buffering effect on the relationship. A total of 463 female and 165 male university students (aged 18–38) from Australian (38%), mixed Australian and CALD (23%) and CALD (28%) backgrounds responded to an online survey of problem gambling behaviour, loneliness, and coping strategies. The results supported the hypothesis that loneliness would be related to problem gambling in CALD students. There was no evidence of a moderating effect of coping strategies. Future research could test whether the introduction of programs designed to alleviate loneliness in culturally diverse university students reduces their risk of developing problem gambling.
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Metadata
Title
Testing the Emotional Vulnerability Pathway to Problem Gambling in Culturally Diverse University Students
Authors
Sandra Hum
Sherilene M. Carr
Publication date
01-09-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 3/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-018-9753-3

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