Amanda Roberts1, Stephen Sharman2, Jeremy Coid3, Raegan Murphy4, Henrietta Bowden-Jones5, Sean Cowlishaw6, Jason Landon7. 1. School of Psychology, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 7TS, UK. Electronic address: aroberts@lincoln.ac.uk. 2. School of Psychology, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 7TS, UK. 3. Violence Prevention Research Unit, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, East London NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Mary University of London, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, William Harvey House, 61 Bartholomew Close, London EC1A 7BE, UK. 4. School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, UCC Enterprise Centre, North Mall, Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: raegan.murphy@ucc.ie. 5. Department of Medicine, Imperial College, London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK. Electronic address: h.bowdenjones02@imperial.ac.uk. 6. Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC), School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK. Electronic address: sean.cowlishaw@bristol.ac.uk. 7. Department of Psychology, Gambling and Addictions Research Centre Faculty of Health & Environmental Sciences, AUT University, 90 Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. Electronic address: jason.landon@aut.ac.nz.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The links between gambling problems, trauma and life stressors are known to exist but understanding the extent of these relationships will allow for greater efficacy in early intervention and treatment. We investigated these relationships among men and sought to determine whether links were attenuated by alcohol and drug use problems. METHODS: A cross-sectional UK representative general population survey was conducted in 2009 with 3025 men aged 18-64years. Measurements included self-reported gambling behaviours, as measured by the South Oaks Gambling Scale (SOGS) and traumatic or stressful life events. Covariates included alcohol and drug dependence and socio-demographics. Binary logistic regression models were used to examine associations. RESULTS: Problem gambling (SOGS 3-4) and probable pathological gambling (SOGS 5+) were associated with increased odds of trauma in childhood (e.g. violence in the home (Adjusted Odd Ratios (AOR) 3.0 (CI=1.8-5.0) and 2.6 (CI=1.7-4.1) respectively), and life stressors in adulthood (e.g. intimate partner violence (AORs 4.5 (CI=2.0-10.3) and 4.7 (CI=2.3-9.7) and homelessness (AORs 2.2 (CI=1.1-4.6) and 3.2 (CI=1.9-5.5)). Results were attenuated when adjusted for probable alcohol and drug dependence with the latter having largest effects. CONCLUSIONS: Among men in the United Kingdom, disordered gambling remains uniquely associated with trauma and life stressors in childhood and adulthood after adjusting for alcohol and drug dependence. The results support a need for disordered gambling treatment services to undertake routine screening for alcohol, drugs, IPV and traumatic life events and to tailor treatment that specifically targets the effects of stress for clients who present with such a cluster of issues. Crown
INTRODUCTION: The links between gambling problems, trauma and life stressors are known to exist but understanding the extent of these relationships will allow for greater efficacy in early intervention and treatment. We investigated these relationships among men and sought to determine whether links were attenuated by alcohol and drug use problems. METHODS: A cross-sectional UK representative general population survey was conducted in 2009 with 3025 men aged 18-64years. Measurements included self-reported gambling behaviours, as measured by the South Oaks Gambling Scale (SOGS) and traumatic or stressful life events. Covariates included alcohol and drug dependence and socio-demographics. Binary logistic regression models were used to examine associations. RESULTS: Problem gambling (SOGS 3-4) and probable pathological gambling (SOGS 5+) were associated with increased odds of trauma in childhood (e.g. violence in the home (Adjusted Odd Ratios (AOR) 3.0 (CI=1.8-5.0) and 2.6 (CI=1.7-4.1) respectively), and life stressors in adulthood (e.g. intimate partner violence (AORs 4.5 (CI=2.0-10.3) and 4.7 (CI=2.3-9.7) and homelessness (AORs 2.2 (CI=1.1-4.6) and 3.2 (CI=1.9-5.5)). Results were attenuated when adjusted for probable alcohol and drug dependence with the latter having largest effects. CONCLUSIONS: Among men in the United Kingdom, disordered gambling remains uniquely associated with trauma and life stressors in childhood and adulthood after adjusting for alcohol and drug dependence. The results support a need for disordered gambling treatment services to undertake routine screening for alcohol, drugs, IPV and traumatic life events and to tailor treatment that specifically targets the effects of stress for clients who present with such a cluster of issues. Crown
Authors: Martin Wejbera; Klaus Wölfling; Michael Dreier; Matthias Michal; Elmar Brähler; Jörg Wiltink; Andreas Schulz; Philipp S Wild; Thomas Münzel; Jochem König; Karl Lackner; Norbert Pfeiffer; Manfred E Beutel Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2021-03-04 Impact factor: 3.630