Configurations of gambling change and harm: qualitative findings from the Swedish longitudinal gambling study (Swelogs)

Abstract

Background: Gambling participation and problems change over time and are influenced by a variety of individual and contextual factors. However, gambling research has only to a small extent studied gamblers' own perceptions of transitions in and out of problem gambling. Method: Qualitative telephone interviews were made with 40 gamblers who had repeatedly participated in the Swelogs Swedish Longitudinal Gambling Study. The framework approach was used for analyses, resulting in a multiple-linkage typology. Results: Our analyses revealed four configurations of gambling: (a) stable low frequency with no or minor harm, (b) decreasing high frequency with occasional harm, (c) fluctuating with moderate harm, and (d) increasing high frequency with substantial harm. Natural recovery and return to previous levels of gambling intensity were common. Change occurred either gradually, as a result of adjustment to altered personal circumstances, or drastically as a consequence of determined decisions to change. Personal and contextual factors such as psychological well-being, supportive relationships, and meaningful leisure activities played a part in overcoming harmful gambling and keeping gambling on a nonproblematic level. Gambling advertising was commonly perceived as aggressive and triggering. Conclusions: The experience of harm is highly subjective, which should be taken into account when developing preventive measures. Considering the fluid character of gambling problems, help and support should be easily accessible and diversified. To repeatedly be interviewed about gambling and its consequences can contribute to increased reflection on, and awareness of, one's own behaviours and the societal impacts of gambling.

Gamblers’ (mis-)interpretations of Problem Gambling Severity Index items: Ambiguities in qualitative accounts from the Swedish Longitudinal Gambling Study

“…The 19 participants, a majority of whom were occasional buyers of lottery tickets for excitement or social rewards, reported no or only mild negative consequences from gambling during the past eight years. The changeable characteristics of gambling patterns and problems, where many people tend to go into and out of problem gambling over the course of a year (Public Health Agency of Sweden, 2016b) due to life events and changing circumstances (Samuelsson et al, 2018) may influence gamblers' perceptions of their past experiences.…”

A systematic review of psychosocial risks for gambling and problem gambling in the Nordic countries

“…Here, Finnish and French recreational gamblers expressed the view that social and situational issues such as loneliness and relationship problems were risk pathways that may lead to problem gambling. Finally, interview data from the longitudinal Swedish Swelogs study (Samuelsson et al, 2018) showed that important life events (many of them of a social nature such as relationship breakdown) and Lack of supportive network and meaningful employment were identified as factors increasing the risk for increased gambling engagement and related problems. Here the authors specifically mention that 'Loneliness, unemployment, and problems with social relations were also reported as reasons for gambling taking precedence in life' (p. 518).…”

“…Looking at longitudinal interview data, Samuelsson et al (2018) found that factors increasing gambling included important life events (many of them of a social nature), and Lack of supportive network while Support from significant others also appeared when looking at factors decreasing gambling and helping a person abstain from gambling.…”

“…Considering the studies applying statistical methods, most were of a cross-sectional nature utilising representative population survey data. Four publications utilised data from one or more waves of longitudinal or follow-up studies (Kristiansen et al, 2015;Lyk-Jensen, 2010;Sagoe et al, 2017;Samuelsson et al, 2018). Regarding measurement of a psychosocial dimension, several standardised instruments and scales were used alongside single-item questions (see Table 1 for full range of measures), for example, Roberts's 8-item loneliness scale (Roberts et al, 1993); the Oslo 3-item Social Support Scale (OSS-3, Brevik & Dalgard, 1996); and the six-item Family Relations/Cohesion scale (as described in Oregon Mentors, 2019).…”

Is There a Health Inequality in Gambling Related Harms? A Systematic Review

“…Samuelsson et al 84 found that low frequency stable gamblers only reported mild harms such as shame or guilt, whereas high frequency gamblers with decreasing use experienced substantial nancial losses, frustration, alcohol use, and isolation. They also noted that periodic gamblers experienced nancial, psychological, and relationship harms, including insomnia, isolation, and low self-esteem.…”