Exploring the stability of gambling motives over time

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Author(s): McGrath, Daniel S. ; Konkolÿ Thege, Barna

Journal: Journal of Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2018

Date Added: July 31, 2018

This study examined whether gamblers’ motives or reasons for gambling remained stable over time. It also investigated factors associated with the stability of gambling motives. Participants were 2795 adult gamblers. Results revealed that only 22% of individuals remained with their primary motive for gambling over the 5-year period. This suggested that there was a great deal of fluidity across the motive categories. Most gamblers gambled for enhancement and financial reasons. Very few gamblers gambled for social, coping, or other reasons. Being resistant to gambling fallacies and engaging in more gambling activities predicted stability in gambling motives over time.

Citation: McGrath, D. S., & Konkolÿ Thege, B. (2018). The categorical stability of gambling motives among community-recruited gamblers: A longitudinal assessment. Journal of Gambling Studies, 34(1), 21-38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10899-017-9687-1

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10899-017-9687-1

Keywords: gambling disorder ; gambling motivations ; Quinte Longitudinal Study (QLS)

Conceptual Framework Factors: Types - Motivational Characteristics

Response Rate: Response rate of 21.3%; total retention rate of 93.9%

Study Design: Observational: Cohort

Geographic Coverage: Canada, Ontario

Study Population: Adults who gambled in the past 12 months and provided one main reason for gambling at all five assessment points

Sampling Procedure: The researchers obtained data from the Quinte Longitudinal Study (QLS)) which followed participants for five years (2006-2011). The initial recruitment was done via random dialing of telephone numbers from a pool of numbers with area codes and preﬁxes estimated to be within 70 km of the city of Belleville, ON. Interested participants were directed to a link for an online survey or booked into a time slot at the program office where they completed the survey on site.