How problem gambling impacts the partners and families of gamblers

View Abstract View Snapshot Back to Search Results

snapshot summaries

Author(s): Järvinen-Tassopoulos, Johanna

Journal: Public Health

Year Published: 2020

Date Added: September 21, 2020

Problem gambling is a public health issue that harms those who gamble and their families. The partners of people with problem gambling may suffer significant emotional and financial stress because of the gambling. At the same time, they may avoid seeking help because of the stigma around problem gambling. This study looked at messages on an online discussion forum for the partners of people with problem gambling. Most partners said the forum was the first place they went to for help. Many said they did not seek help elsewhere due to the stigma around problem gambling. Many partners said the gambling hurt their relationship and caused financial issues for their family. Overall, the partners worried about how the problem gambling had affected their children. Some chose to stay in the relationship to keep the family together, while others chose to divorce.

Citation: Järvinen-Tassopoulos, J. (2020). The impact of problem gambling: Are there enough services available for families with children? Public Health, 184, 28-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2020.03.020

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2020.03.020

Keywords: children ; help-seeking ; partners ; problem gambling

Topics: Children and Youth ; Priority Populations

Conceptual Framework Factors: Social - Stigmatization ; Psychological - Lifespan Development ; Resources - Service Access and Use ; Social Factors ; Gambling Resources

Response Rate: Not applicable, N=40 individuals, who in total posted 97 messages that met the inclusion criteria.

Study Design: Descriptive: Qualitative

Geographic Coverage: Finland

Study Population: Finnish adults who had a partner/spouse with problem gambling. Participants were people who joined and posted on an anonymous Finnish-language discussion forum for the partners of people with problem gambling between 2007 and 2016. N=40

Sampling Procedure: The researcher reviewed an online discussion forum for the partners of people with problem gambling. She included in the study any posts that contained a short narrative with information about family life, gambling harms, and help seeking behaviour.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (Lotteries Act 52).