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A Grounded Theory of the Influence of Significant Life Events, Psychological co-Morbidities and Related Social Factors on Gambling Involvement

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Abstract

This study aimed to explore how gambling involvement and gambling-related problems may be affected by significant life events, psychological co-morbidities and related social factors. Twenty recreational gamblers and 20 people experiencing gambling problems were interviewed, with reflective first-person accounts being analysed to develop a grounded theory. While both groups had experienced various significant life events and psychological co-morbidity, they coped with such events in different ways. The problem gambling group was found to increase their gambling involvement, unlike the recreational gambling group. In contrast to the problem gambling group, most recreational gamblers had strong social support networks and a resilience that helped them cope with significant life events and co-morbidities. A major finding of this study is the importance of resilience and social support when coping with adversity as protective factors against gambling problems. A grounded theory framework is presented as a basis for further research in this area.

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Notes

  1. The PGSI is the accepted problem gambling measure in Australia and has good reliability and validity. It consists of 9 questions with response categories of ‘never’ =0, ‘sometimes’ =1, ‘most of the time’ =2, ‘almost always’ =3. Scores are summed for a total between 0 and 27. Cut-off scores are 0 for non-problem gambler, 1–2 for low risk gambler, 3–7 for moderate risk gambler and 8+ for problem gambler (Ferris and Wynne 2001).

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation for funding this project. We would also like to thank the participants who agreed to be interviewed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Lismore, NSW, Australia

    Louise Holdsworth & Nerilee Hing

  2. Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University, Locked Bag 4, Coolangatta, 4225, NSW, Australia

    Elaine Nuske

  3. School of Arts and Social Sciences, Southern Cross University, Locked Bag 4, Coolangatta, 4225, NSW, Australia

    Elaine Nuske

Authors
  1. Louise Holdsworth
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  2. Elaine Nuske
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  3. Nerilee Hing
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Correspondence to Elaine Nuske.

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Holdsworth, L., Nuske, E. & Hing, N. A Grounded Theory of the Influence of Significant Life Events, Psychological co-Morbidities and Related Social Factors on Gambling Involvement. Int J Ment Health Addiction 13, 257–273 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-014-9527-9

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