Debt stress partly links problem gambling and mental health problems

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Author(s): Swanton, Thomas B. ; Gainsbury, Sally M.

Journal: Social Science & Medicine

Year Published: 2020

Date Added: December 25, 2020

Both problem gambling and debt stress are linked to financial and mental health harms. However, the relationship between gambling, debt stress, and mental health is unclear. It is possible that debt stress provides the link between excessive gambling and poorer mental health. This study surveyed Australian adults who had gambled in the past month and assessed their gambling behaviour, debt stress, and mental health and wellbeing. How frequently someone gambled was not associated with debt stress. However, debt stress partly explained the relationship between problem gambling and mental health. Debt stress may be a useful indicator to identify underlying gambling and mental health problems in primary healthcare settings.

Citation: Swanton, T. B., & Gainsbury, S. M. (2020). Debt stress partly explains the relationship between problem gambling and comorbid mental health problems. Social Science & Medicine. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113476

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113476

Keywords: comorbidities ; credit ; debt ; gambling ; mental health ; problem gambling ; stress ; well-being

Topics: Comorbidities ; Gambling and the Brain

Conceptual Framework Factors: Environment - Social and Economic Impacts ; Psychological Factors ; Gambling Environment ; Psychological - Subjective Well-Being

Response Rate: 309/1629 = 19% (1629 people clicked on the hyperlink to the survey page, but only 309 completed the survey)

Study Design: Observational: Cross-sectional

Geographic Coverage: Australia

Study Population: Adults (18+) living in Australia who gambled in the past 30 days (N = 309)

Sampling Procedure: Researchers advertised on websites, social media channels, and e-newsletter communications from three Australian wagering operators and 25 Australian gambling counselling, financial counselling, and legal aid support services. Individuals had to have spent money on gambling in the past 30 days to be eligible for inclusion in the study.

Study Funding:

This work was partially funded by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and University of Sydney Industry Seed Funding and an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award [DE1060100459] awarded to Sally Gainsbury.