The effect of gambling problems on the subjective wellbeing of gamblers’ family and friends: Evidence from large-scale population research in Australia and Canada

Abstract

Background and Aims Excessive time and money spent on gambling can result in harms, not only to people experiencing a gambling problem but also to their close family and friends (“concerned significant others”; CSOs). The current study aimed to explore whether, and to what extent, CSOs experience decrements to their wellbeing due to another person’s gambling. Methods We analysed data from The Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey (HILDA; N = 19,064) and the Canadian Quinte Longitudinal Study (QLS; N = 3,904). Participants either self-identified as CSOs (QLS) or were identified by living in a household with a person classified in the problem gambling category by the PGSI (HILDA). Subjective well-being was measured using the Personal Wellbeing Index and single-item questions on happiness and satisfaction with life. Results CSOs reported lower subjective wellbeing than non-CSOs across both countries and on all three wellbeing measures. CSO status remained a significant predictor of lower wellbeing after controlling for demographic and socio-economic factors, and own-gambling problems. There were no significant differences across various relationships to the gambler, by gender, or between household and non-household CSOs. Discussion and Conclusions Gambling-related harms experienced by CSOs was reliably associated with a decrease in wellbeing. This decrement to CSO’s wellbeing was not as strong as that experienced by the person with the first-order gambling problem. Nevertheless, wellbeing decrements to CSOs are not limited to those living with a person with gambling problems in the household and thus affect many people.

How gambling harms others: The influence of relationship-type and closeness on harm, health, and wellbeing

“…Our findings are consistent with population studies showing physical and mental decrements tend to occur more in CSOs than non-CSOs ( Lind et al., 2022 ; Salonen et al., 2016 ; Svensson et al., 2013 ; Tulloch et al., 2021 ; Wenzel et al., 2008 ). However, the causal relationship is unclear.…”

“…The subjective wellbeing measures (life satisfaction and the PWI) showed no significant differences across any relationship groups or levels of closeness. This null finding is similar to a study comparing subjective wellbeing in household and non-household Canadian CSOs ( Tulloch, Hing, Browne, Rockloff, & Hilbrecht, 2021 ). While CSOs tended to report lower subjective wellbeing than others, recent longitudinal findings by Tulloch, Browne, Hing, Rockloff, and Hilbrecht (2023) suggest that this does not appear to be directly associated with the gambling problem.…”

Trajectories of wellbeing in people who live with gamblers experiencing a gambling problem: An 18-year longitudinal analysis of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey

“…Instead, it may be that these issues are related to some risk factors for having a gambling problem in the household, or some factor unrelated to gambling. For example, CSOs tend to be younger, less educated, and more likely to have a gambling problem themselves [4,15,20,21,60]. Additionally, gambling problems are associated with renting in low socioeconomic areas, other addictions, and other mental health challenges [56,63,64].…”

“…For example, they can experience a reduced social life [11,12], become estranged or distanced from family and friends [13], and experience social rejection [14] and isolation [12]. Impacts to psychological wellbeing are commonly associated with CSOs and include emotional or psychological distress [e.g., 3,[15][16][17], anger and feelings of guilt [18], symptoms of anxiety and depression [18][19][20] and lower wellbeing and satisfaction with life [21]. These can then lead to physical health problems such as headaches [18,22,23] and reduced sleep [24,25].…”

An integrative review of research on gambling and domestic and family violence: Fresh perspectives to guide future research

“…Harm from gambling extends beyond people who gamble to also diminish the health and wellbeing of significant others, including intimate partners and family members ( Browne et al, 2016 ; Tulloch et al, 2021 ). One harm associated with gambling is domestic and family violence, with higher rates of perpetration and victimization found among individuals with a gambling problem ( Afifi et al, 2010 ; Dowling et al, 2018 ; Roberts et al, 2018 ).…”