One person’s gambling problems can affect other people they are close with, like their immediate family members and friends. In this study, the researchers looked at whether being an affected other is related to experiencing various harms. The researchers collected data from Finnish adults between Spring 2021 and Fall 2024. Participants indicated whether someone close to them had ever experienced gambling problems and what their relationship to this person was. They also answered questions about their own mental health, gambling problems, and alcohol use.
Being an affected other to a person with gambling problems was not related to psychological distress or problematic alcohol use. However, having a parent, grandparent, sibling, or close friend with gambling problems was related to a higher likelihood that participants themselves had gambling problems. Over a 1-year period, having a close family member with gambling problems was related to a lower likelihood that participants themselves had problems with gambling. The findings suggest that having a close family member or friend with gambling problems can influence one’s own gambling behaviour.
