The Family Functioning of Female Pathological Gamblers

Abstract

The available evidence suggests that pathological gambling significantly disrupts family relationships and has a substantial impact on family members. However, these conclusions are based almost exclusively on male pathological gamblers and their female spouses or partners. The current study, which was a secondary study derived from a treatment outcome study for female pathological gamblers, surveyed three samples with the aim to evaluate (1) the quality of the dyadic and family relationships of treatment-seeking female pathological gamblers; (2) the psychological and relationship functioning of their spouses or partners; and (3) the psychological functioning of their children. Although the findings of this study revealed substantial dysfunction in the intimate and family relationships of female pathological gamblers, the partners and children of the female pathological gamblers in this study did not display elevated rates of psychological dysfunction. It is evident that femalespecific research and direct gender comparisons are warranted in this area of research.

Problem gambling and family violence: family member reports of prevalence, family impacts and family coping

“…Some research shows significant dysfunction and dissatisfaction in the family and intimate relationships of problem gamblers (Dowling et al, 2009;Hodgins et al, 2007). Relationship dysfunction, in turn, is associated with a greater number of emotional consequences and greater gambling problem severity (Hodgins et al, 2007).…”

“…Relationship dysfunction, in turn, is associated with a greater number of emotional consequences and greater gambling problem severity (Hodgins et al, 2007). Samples of problem gamblers and their partners have reported these relationship difficulties (Dowling et al, 2009;Harvey et al, 2007;Hodgins et al, 2007). Negative relationship dynamics are further illustrated in studies where partners of problem gamblers report unsatisfactory sexual relationships, communication issues, and difficulty in conflict resolution (Duvarci & Varan, 2000;Lorenz & Yaffee, 1988;Lorenz and Yaffee 1986).…”

“…Emerging evidence shows that the most common adverse impacts of problem gambling include family and dyadic relationship dysfunction, financial hardship, co-occurring psychopathologies and family conflict (Dowling et al 2009;Hodgins et al 2006;Jackson et al 1999; Kalischuk et al 2006). Among concerned significant others, spouses and intimate partners are typically the ones most affected, primarily in the form of intra-and interpersonal distress (Hodgins et al 2007).…”

Gambling and violence in a nationally representative sample of UK men

“…Difficult and sometimes discordant interpersonal and family relationships are often amongst the significant negative impacts of problem gambling [4][5][6][7]. Some dysfunctional relationships evolve into violence, and there is growing evidence to show that problem gambling is a specific risk factor for family and intimate partner violence (IPV) [8][9][10][11][12][13][14].…”

Gambling Behavior Severity and Psychological, Family, and Contextual Variables: A Comparative Analysis

“…Indeed, pathological gamblers' family functioning has a broad scope of difficulties, including issues related to the expression of feelings, family rules, roles and communication, among others (Ciarrocchi & Hohmann, 1989;Dowling, Smith, & Thomas, 2009;Hardoon‚ Derevensky‚ & Gupta, 2002;Kalischuk et al, 2006).…”