Pathological Gambling in Montreal’s Chinese Community: An Anthropological Perspective

Abstract

Pathological gambling has been identified as a major issue in Montreal's Chinese community. A variety of sources attest to the fact that, though we live in an increasingly heterogeneous society, the services provided to minority communities for preventing and treating pathological gambling are inadequate. An anthropological approach that takes into account cultural characteristics of one's community could lead to better strategies for acknowledgement, definition, diagnosis and treatment of pathological gambling among culturally different communities. Research paths that could help to provide effective treatment and services to specific populations are suggested. An overview of the way the Chinese view gambling, pathological gambling and treatment is presented. The concepts of fate, destiny and luck in Chinese thought, as well as Montreal's Chinese community social norms related to gambling are then described. The incorporation of those cultural understandings in future studies and treatment attempts is suggested.

Problem Gambling, Gambling Correlates, and Help-Seeking Attitudes in a Chinese Sample: An Empirical Evaluation

“…On the flipside, stronger indifference to stigma (i.e., lower score on the indifference to stigma subscale; see Methods section for details) relates to stronger PG severity (i.e., higher PGSI score). In other words, higher PG severity relates to a stronger indifference to stigma and less positive overall helpseeking attitudes, which links in with the notion that Chinese gamblers find it difficult to seek help for PG issues (Loo et al, 2008;Papineau, 2001;Scull & Woolcock, 2005). Stronger indifference to stigma is related to the Chinese problem gamblers' lack of help-seeking propensity.…”

“…It is well-documented that Chinese gamblers have difficulty admitting that PG is an issue that has to be dealt with, and viewing gambling as an avenue of gaining financial wealth despite having financial difficulties (Loo et al, 2008;Papineau, 2001;Scull & Woolcock, 2005). Difficulty in admitting the problem and seeking help are common characteristics among the Chinese, which affects their propensity for help-seeking behaviour and in turn increase their susceptibility to mental health issues (Pagura, Fotti, Katz, & Sareen, 2009).…”

The clinical and social construction of the Paichais of Macau

“…Paichais in the present study all grew up in a gambling family where gambling had been a norm. Combined with cultural beliefs further reinforce strong cognitive beliefs (see Ohtsuka & Chan, 2010;Papineau 2005), these cognitive distortions may contribute to the maintenance of gambling behaviour of this unique group of problem gamblers in Macau.…”

Desperate Housewives: An Analysis of the Characterisations of Female Gamblers Portrayed in Gambling Movies in Hong Kong

“…Chinese attribute success to a good ming and failure to a bad one. Ming therefore is equivalent to a concept of fate that governs the outcomes of the events over which people have no control (Papineau, 2005).…”

“…Chinese attribute success to a good ming and failure to a bad one. Ming therefore is equivalent to a concept of fate that governs the outcomes of the events over which people have no control (Papineau, 2005).This culture-specific view alone does not explain persistence of gambling participation. If it is a fate, why do they go back to confirm a bad ming again and again after gambling losses?…”