In this study, the researchers looked at whether people with more severe problem gambling are at higher risk of being victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). They also looked at factors associated with increased IPV risk. Data came from 28,154 Finnish adults over 20 years old who participated in the population-based Health Finland survey.
Experiences of any form of violence were more common among females, younger people, and people who had gambled in the past year. Females and people who were aged 20–59 years, engaged in hazardous alcohol use, had suicidal thoughts, or had problem gambling were at higher risk of experiencing physical forms of IPV from a spouse. Females and people who were aged 20–59 years, had one or two children under 18 living in their household, engaged in hazardous alcohol use, or experienced psychological distress, were at higher risk of experiencing psychological forms of IPV. People who gambled were at higher risk of experiencing psychological forms of IPV than people who did not gamble. The risk increased with more severe problem gambling.
