Gambling knowledge and behaviours among Lao immigrants and refugees in the United States

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Author(s): King, Serena M. ; Wasberg, Saddie May H. ; Wollmuth, Angela K.

Journal: Public Health

Year Published: 2020

Date Added: November 11, 2020

The researchers investigated the characteristics that increase Southeast Asian refugees and immigrants’ chances of developing problem gambling (PG). Participants were 200 people who were from Laos or had a Lao background. Staff members from a Lao community center in the U.S. interviewed participants. About one-quarter of participants had a gambling problem. Thus, PG may be common among Lao people. Participants who started gambling at a young age and had siblings with gambling problems had a higher chance of developing PG. Many Lao people were unwilling to get help for their PG even if help was available. At the same time, many recognized gambling as a significant issue in their community. Prevention and treatment service providers could use this research to develop community-based intervention and educational programs that are culturally appropriate. This could include training Lao people to help those in their community overcome their PG.

Citation: King, S. M., Wasberg, S. M. H., & Wollmuth, A. K. (2020). Gambling problems, risk factors, community knowledge, and impact in a US Lao immigrant and refugee community sample. Public Health, 184, 17-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2020.03.019

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2020.03.019

Keywords: community-based study ; gambling ; immigrants ; refugees ; risk factors ; Southeast Asian

Topics: Acculturation ; Cultural Factors

Conceptual Framework Factors: Social - Stigmatization ; Cultural Factors ; Resources - Service Access and Use ; Social Factors ; Gambling Resources ; Cultural - Ethnicity and Traditions

Study Design: Observational: Cross-sectional

Geographic Coverage: United States of America, Minnesota

Study Population: Lao people living in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area of Minnesota, United States. (N = 200).

Sampling Procedure: Convenience sampling: the researchers recruited participants from the Lao Assistance Community Center via staff outreach, word of mouth, and social media.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance.