Similarities and differences between gambling and gaming disorders: Insights from communications with a help service

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Author(s): Luquiens, Amandine ; von Hammerstein, Cora ; Benyamina, Amine ; Perney, Pascal

Journal: JMIR Mental Health

Year Published: 2021

Date Added: March 03, 2022

Gambling and gaming disorders are both considered behavioural addictions. Gambling and gaming disorders have many similarities but may also have important differences. This study looked for similarities and differences in how people experience gambling and gaming problems.

The researchers analyzed communications from people who contacted a gambling and gaming help service in France. They found six main themes in what people discussed with the help service. Some themes were common to both gambling and gaming (e.g., psychological distress), but others were distinct. For example, people discussed a loss of control with gambling, but no such mention was made about gaming. Violence during conflict with parents and negative childhood events were made in regard to gaming only. Future research could aim to better understand these differences.

Citation: Luquiens, A., von Hammerstein, C., Benyamina, A., & Perney, P. (2021). Burden and help-seeking behaviors linked to problem gambling and gaming: Observational quantitative and qualitative analysis. JMIR Mental Health, 8(11), e26521. https://mental.jmir.org/2021/11/e26521

Article DOI: https://mental.jmir.org/2021/11/e26521

Keywords: biological relatives ; burden of disease (BoD) ; family relationships ; gambling ; gambling-related harm ; gaming ; helplines ; help-seeking ; qualitative

Topics: Family and Friends

Conceptual Framework Factors: Social - Family and Peer Gambling Involvement ; Exposure - Convergence of Gaming and Gambling ; Resources - Service Access and Use ; Gambling Exposure ; Gambling Resources ; Resources - Interventions

Study Design: Mixed Methods

Geographic Coverage: France

Study Population: People who contacted Joueurs Info Service, a national public help service for gambling and gaming in France. People contacted the service for help with their own gambling/gaming, or to ask for help for a relative or friend who games/gambles. (N = 14,564 contacts made to the help service)

Sampling Procedure: The researchers used the text documentation of contacts made to the gambling/gaming help service between 2010 and 2018. This documentation included text summaries of phone calls made to the service, as well as online chat logs from people asking questions or requesting help.

Study Funding:

No funding was received.