National Helpline for Problem Gambling: A Profile of Its Users’ Characteristics

Abstract

Gambling has seen a significant increase in Italy in the last 10 years and has rapidly become a public health issue, and for these reasons the first National Helpline for Problem Gambling (GR-Helpline) has been established. The aims of this study are to describe the GR-Helpline users' characteristics and to compare the prevalence rates of the users with those of moderate-risk/problematic gamblers obtained from the national survey (IPSAD 2010-2011). Statistical analysis was performed on data obtained from the counselling sessions (phone/e-mail/chat) carried out on 5,805 users (57.5% gamblers; 42.5% families/friends). This confirms that the problems related to gambling concern not only the gamblers but also their families and friends. Significant differences were found between gamblers and families/friends involving gender (74% of gamblers were male; 76.9% of families/friends were female), as well as age-classes and geographical area. Female gamblers had a higher mean age (47.3 versus 40.2 years) and preferred nonstrategy-based games. Prevalence rates of GR-Helpline users and of moderate risk/problematic gamblers were correlated (Rho = 0.58; p = 0.0113). The results highlight the fact that remote access to counselling can be an effective means of promoting treatment for problem gamblers who do not otherwise appeal directly for services.

Utilisation patterns of helpline and Web chat services among gamblers in Singapore

“…Contrary to the international data, (7) callers reported a preference for strategy-based games such as table games and and sought treatment at the clinic, indicating that the referral process was effective.…”

Telefonische Beratung für Glücksspielsüchtige – der heiße Draht ins Hilfesystem? Akzeptanz und Nutzung der Mainzer Hotline Verhaltenssucht

“…International beschäftigen sich Studien mit verschiedenen Aspekten von telefonischen Beratungsangeboten für Glücksspielsüchtige. Neben der Betrachtung von Anruferprofilen [13,14] und Geschlechterunterschieden [11,[15][16][17] wurde auch die Inanspruchnahme weiterführender Hilfen nach Telefonkontakt untersucht [12,15,[18][19][20][21]. In den Untersuchungen von Weinstock et al [20] und Shandley und Moore [21] erhielten 84,3 bzw.…”

“…Die Anrufe auf der Hotline Verhaltenssucht betrafen hauptsächlich die Glücksspielprobleme von Männern (89,0 %), was konsistent mit bisherigen Forschungsbefunden ist [11,13,14]. Der geringe Anteil betroffener Frauen ist mit dem ebenfalls geringen Anteil problematisch-pathologisch glücksspielender Frauen in der Bevölkerung zu begründen (0,25 vs. 1,34 %) [1].…”

“…Unter der Grundannahme, dass das Geschlechterverhältnis in der Bevölkerung gleich verteilt ist, ergibt sich daraus innerhalb der Gruppe der mindestens problematisch glücksspielenden Personen ein Verhältnis von 15,7 % Frauen zu 84,3 % Männern. Ebenfalls konsistent mit der Literatur [11][12][13] ist, dass weibliche Betroffene zum Zeitpunkt des Anrufs im Mittel signifikant älter waren als männliche Betroffene.…”

Evidenze preliminari dalla piattaforma terapeutica online Giocaresponsabile. Condizioni socio-economiche e comportamenti di gioco

“…La raccolta di tali informazioni ha un ruolo ancillare rispetto all'obiettivo di fornire aiuto e consulenza alla persona. Una recente ricerca di Bastiani et al (2015) ha analizzato 5.805 utenti della helpline (57.5% giocatori e 42.5% famigliari e amici). Nel campione i maschi (età media: 40,2 anni) sono in rapporto 3 a 1 rispetto alle femmine (età media: 47,3 anni) quando contattano il servizio per un problema personale, mentre sono le femmine a prevalere (rapporto sempre di 3 a 1) quando chi contatta il servizio lo fa per un famigliare o amico.…”