General awareness of one’s problem gambling: Individual differences and changes over time

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Author(s): Gooding, Nolan B. ; Kim, Hyoun S. ; Williams, Robert J. ; Williams, Jennifer N.

Journal: Addictive Behaviors

Year Published: 2023

Date Added: December 16, 2022

A lack of awareness of one’s problem gambling is a major barrier to seeking treatment. In this study, the researchers analysed data from 1,346 Canadian adults with problem gambling who did or did not feel that they had a gambling problem. Participants who knew that they had a gambling problem were more likely to experience gambling-related harms. They also lost a greater amount of money and felt a greater loss of control over their gambling. In addition, they were more likely to gamble alone and to have a family history of problem gambling. An increase in general awareness over time was associated experiencing more gambling-related harms; playing more gambling activities; feeling a greater loss of control; and having a lower education.

Citation: Gooding, N. B., Kim, H. S., Williams, R. J., & Williams, J. N. (2023). Individual differences and predictors of general awareness in problem gambling. Addictive Behaviors, 136, 107505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107505

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107505

Keywords: awareness ; gambling ; problem gambling ; self perceptions

Topics: Self Perceptions

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological - Self-Perceptions ; Psychological Factors ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection

Study Design: Secondary Data Analysis

Geographic Coverage: Canada

Study Population: Adults who gambled in the past 12 months and met the criteria for problem or pathological gambling according to the Problem and Pathological Gambling Measure (n = 1346).

Sampling Procedure: Data were obtained from the Alberta Gambling Research Institute (AGRI) National Project’s Online Panel Survey. The baseline survey was administered to members of Leger Opinion (LEO), Canada’s largest online panel. Repeated email notifications alerting members to a new survey were sent out until at least 1,400 surveys were completed in each province or region in Canada. A follow-up survey was conducted one year later. This study only focused on participants who met the criteria for problem or pathological gambling according to the PPGM.

Study Funding:

The Online Panel Survey was jointly funded by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO), and the Alberta Gambling Research Institute.