Gambling in the Landscape of Adversity in Youth: Reflections from Men Who Live with Poverty and Homelessness

Abstract

Most of the research on gambling behaviour among youth has been quantitative and focused on measuring prevalence. As a result, little is known about the contextual experiences of youth gambling, particularly among those most vulnerable. In this paper, we explore the previous experiences of youth gambling in a sample of adult men experiencing housing instability and problem gambling. We present findings from a qualitative study on problem gambling and housing instability conducted in Toronto, Canada. Thirty men with histories of problem or pathological gambling and housing instability or homelessness were interviewed. Two thirds of these men reported that they began gambling in youth. Five representative cases were selected and the main themes discussed. We found that gambling began in early life while the men, as youth, were also experiencing adversity (e.g., physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse, neglect, housing instability, homelessness, substance addiction and poverty). Men reported they had access to gambling activity through their family and wider networks of school, community and the streets. Gambling provided a way to gain acceptance, escape from emotional pain, and/or earn money. For these men problematic gambling behaviour that began in youth, continued into adulthood.

Prevalence of Problem Gambling Among Women Using Shelter and Drop-in Services

“…Screening, along with tailored treatment for problem gambling, is essential to ensure women using shelter and drop-in services have access to appropriate care to address gambling in conjunction with financial vulnerability, homelessness, and poor health (e.g., psychiatric, substance use, and posttraumatic stress disorders) (Billi et al, 2014;Langan et al, 2019;Nower et al, 2015;Shaffer et al, 2002). Qualitative studies suggest that adult gambling and homelessness occur in combination with mental illness, substance use, interpersonal problems, unemployment, domestic violence, criminal involvement, and discrimination, and can be predated by childhood abuse, neglect, and homelessness (Hamilton-Wright et al, 2016;Holdsworth & Tiyce, 2013). When gambling and housing problems fuse, already poor mental health and substance use are worsened, while the weight of these complex conditions often thwarts efforts to secure and maintain safe housing.…”

Risk and protective factors for the development of gambling-related harms and problems among Australian sexual minority men

“…As discussed, research has consistently found male gender to be associated with problem gambling (see review [ 15 ]) and indeed, SMM’s experiences include both identifying with a minority sexual identity and identifying as male [ 94 , 95 ]. Traditional male gender role socialisation (also known as traditional masculinity) directs men away from self-care and instead encourages risky behaviours [ 96 , 97 ], such as engaging in problem gambling to escape emotional pain [ 98 , 99 ]. This is not exclusive to heterosexual men, however, as research has found that gay men who identify with traditional masculinity are more likely to engage in health risk behaviours, such as hazardous alcohol use and sexual risk behaviour [ 94 ].…”

ADHD Symptoms in Pathological and Problem Gamblers in Singapore

“…In a study on another population made up of predominantly Chinese participants in Hong Kong, the majority of pathological gamblers were found to have less than 9 years of education [ 29 ]. A qualitative study on youth gambling conducted in Canada found lower socio-economic status to be a central theme among youth gamblers [ 30 ].…”