Gendered-drivers of intimate partner violence and problem gambling

View Abstract View Snapshot Back to Search Results

snapshot summaries

Author(s): Hing, Nerilee ; O'Mullan, Catherine ; Breen, Helen ; Nuske, Elaine ; Mainey, Lydia

Journal: International Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2022

Date Added: June 15, 2022

Intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs when an intimate partner or ex-partner causes physical, sexual, psychological, or financial harm. Gambling disorder is linked to higher rates of IPV. This study examined how gendered drivers of IPV, such as attitudes that excuse or justify violence against women, are linked to a male partner’s gambling. The researchers interviewed 30 adult women in Australia who had experienced gambling-related IPV. They found that gender inequality within intimate relationships set the context for IPV. Drivers of IPV included male partners’ patriarchal views about gender roles, control over decision-making, and restriction of their female partner’s independence. Another driver was the justification for the use of violence against women. As gambling escalated, so did the violence.

Citation: Hing, N., O’Mullan, C., Breen, H., Nuske, E., & Mainey, L. (2022). How problem gambling by a male partner contributes to intimate partner violence against women: A gendered perspective. International Gambling Studies, 22(1), 82-101. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2021.1973534

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2021.1973534

Keywords: affected others ; family impacts ; feminism ; gambling disorder ; gambling harm ; gender ; intimate partner violence ; lived experience ; personal relationships ; problem gambling ; women

Topics: Comorbidities ; Domestic and Inter-Partner Violence ; Family and Friends

Conceptual Framework Factors: Cultural - Gender ; Cultural Factors ; Social - Deviance ; Social Factors

Study Design: Qualitative: Grounded Theory

Geographic Coverage: Australia

Study Population: A total of 30 women who had experienced gambling-related IPV by a current or previous male partner participated in this study. The women were between 20 and 69 years, with most aged 30-49 years (63%). Most women (83%) lived in metropolitan centers.

Sampling Procedure: Participants were recruited through service providers (37% of participants), online advertisements on Gumtree (27%), GoogleAds (23%), and Gambling help online (4%), emails to previous research participants (8%), and word-of-mouth (1%). The inclusion criteria for this study were: women aged 18 years or over, who lived in Australia, spoke English, had engaged with an IPV or gambling support service, and had lived experience of gambling-related IPV committed by a current or previous male partner.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by the Australian Government and the Australian state and territory governments.