Problem Gambling and Families: A Systematic Review

Kourgiantakis, Toula; Saint‐Jacques, Marie‐Christine; Tremblay, Joël

doi:10.1080/1533256x.2013.838130

Cited by 89 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Approximately, there are six concerned significant others (CSOs) for every problem gambler . Problem gambling (PG) causes significant harm to problem gamblers as well as to CSOs, not least negative financial impact. CSOs often have to support the gambler's livelihood, handle gambling‐related debts or become the victim of fraud or theft committed by the gambler .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Behavioral couples therapy versus cognitive behavioral therapy for problem gambling: a randomized controlled trial

et al. 2020

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Background and aims There is evidence that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for treating problem gambling (PG). Some research points to the possible benefits of involving concerned significant others (CSOs) in treatment. This study compared the efficacy of behavioral couples therapy (BCT) and CBT for both the gambler and the CSO. Design Two parallel‐group randomized controlled study comparing two different internet‐based treatments for PG. Follow‐up measures were conducted at treatment finish, and at 3‐, 6‐ and 12‐month post‐treatment. Setting Stockholm, Sweden. Participants A total of 136 problem gamblers and 136 CSOs were included in the study: 68 gamblers and 68 CSOs for each treatment condition. The gamblers were on average 35.6 years old and 18.4% were female. CSOs were on average 45.3 years old and 75.7% were women. Interventions A treatment based on BCT was compared with a CBT intervention. Both treatments were internet‐based, with 10 therapist‐guided self‐help modules accompanied by weekly telephone and e‐mail support from a therapist. CSOs were given treatment in the BCT condition, but not in the CBT condition. Measurements The primary outcome measures were time‐line follow‐back for gambling (TLFB‐G) and the NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems (NODS) for problem gamblers, corresponding to DSM‐IV criteria for pathological gambling. Secondary outcomes measures were the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder seven‐item scale (GAD‐7), the Relation Assessment Scale Generic (RAS‐G), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Inventory of Consequences of Gambling for the Gambler and CSO (ICS) and adherence to treatment for both the problem gambler and the CSO. Findings The outcomes of both gambler groups improved, and differences between the groups were not statistically significant: TLFB‐G: multiplicative effect = 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.30;4.31); NODS: multiplicative effect = 0.80, 95%, 95% CI = 0.24;2.36. BCT gamblers began treatment to a higher proportion than CBT gamblers: P = 0.002. Conclusions Differences in the efficacy of internet‐based behavioral couples therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of problem gambling were not significant, but more gamblers commenced treatment in the behavioral couples therapy group.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of those who do seek treatment, many drop out prematurely . Involving CSOs in treatment could increase gamblers’ treatment‐seeking behavior, their adherence to treatment and enhance the effects of treatment . Furthermore, there is a risk that CSOs unintentionally aggravate the PG when trying to assist, e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral couples therapy versus cognitive behavioral therapy for problem gambling: a randomized controlled trial

et al. 2020

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“…armful gambling is a socially disruptive problem in many regions, frequently leading to financial crises, broken relationships, and even suicide; however, there is little research generally around the social impact of harmful gambling, for example, on families (Kourgiantakis, Saint-Jacques, & Tremblay, 2013). Instead, research has most often focused on the gambler with a problem.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Information Needs of Individuals Affected by Harmful Gambling in Ireland

Fulton

2019

IJIDI

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Harmful gambling is an addiction issue that negatively affects not only gambling participants but also their families and friends. Ireland is estimated to be one of the top countries in the world for levels of gambling; however, legislation and social policy lag behind measures in other countries. This paper reports findings related to information seeking and provision from the first national study of the social impact of harmful gambling in Ireland. In-depth interviews were conducted with addiction counsellors, recovering gamblers, and gamblers’ social connections to explore their perceptions of availability of information and services to address this public health issue. In addition to calling for revised regulatory and policy development to support formal channels of information and service provision to facilitate individual recovery, participants believed initiatives around providing information and educating the public about the potential personal and social risks associated with gambling would help protect those vulnerable to harm from gambling. Critically, participants identified a need for information to facilitate well-being as central to addressing this issue.

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“…The most common problems reported by family members of problem gamblers have the potential to contribute to a home environment characterised by discord and deprivation: the loss of household or personal money; arguments, anger and violence; lies and deception; neglect of family; negatively affected relationships; poor communication; confusion of family roles and responsibilities; and the development of gambling problems or other addictions within the family (Kalischuk et al 2006 ). A recent systematic literature review of 30 empirical studies examining the family impacts of gambling conducted between 1998 and 2013 identified: strain and conflict in family relationships; loss of trust; financial devastation; high levels of distress, anxiety and depression; physical health problems; and isolation from friends and wider family (Kourgiantakis et al 2013 ). While most research has focused on the spouse/partner of a gambler, some research has specifically documented adverse effects on children such as experiences of parental physical and emotional unavailability, estrangement from wider family networks, loss of safety, material and financial deprivation, depressive symptoms and conduct problems (Kourgiantakis et al 2013 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family violence in a sample of treatment-seeking gamblers: the effect of having dependent children

Bellringer

Pearson

Preez

et al. 2017

Asian J of Gambling Issues and Public Health

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This study investigated the effect of problem gambler gender on the relationship between the gambler having dependent children (younger than 18 years) living at home and the gambler perpetrating or being a victim of family violence. The sample comprised 164 help-seeking gamblers (43% female; 37% with dependent child/ren) recruited from three national gambling treatment services in New Zealand. Family violence was measured using a modified version of the HITS scale covering physical, psychological, verbal, emotional and sexual violence. Forty-nine percent of participants reported being a victim of violence and 43% had perpetrated violence. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was conducted, adjusting in sequence for significant socio-demographic, psychosocial and gambling factors. The relationship between having dependent children and being a victim of family violence was gender-related. Female gamblers living with dependent children reported more family violence perpetration and victimisation than male gamblers living with dependent children. Female gamblers with dependent children living at home had greater odds of being a victim of family violence than male gamblers without dependent children living at home. This relationship remained when adjusted for contextual factors of being a victim (ethnicity, income support status, and feelings of inadequacy) in this sample. A similar gender effect of having dependent children living at home on violence perpetration disappeared when known psychosocial contextual factors of violence perpetration (aggression, difficulties in emotion regulation, drug issue in the family, and interpersonal support) were taken into account. These findings suggest the value of coordinated approaches between gambling treatment services and programmes supporting vulnerable families in order to identify vulnerable families and put support mechanisms in place.

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Problem Gambling and Families: A Systematic Review

Cited by 89 publications

References 46 publications

Behavioral couples therapy versus cognitive behavioral therapy for problem gambling: a randomized controlled trial

Behavioral couples therapy versus cognitive behavioral therapy for problem gambling: a randomized controlled trial

The Information Needs of Individuals Affected by Harmful Gambling in Ireland

Family violence in a sample of treatment-seeking gamblers: the effect of having dependent children

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