The experiences of people whose partners do not seek help for problem gambling

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Author(s): Riley, Ben J. ; Lawn, Sharon ; Crisp, Beth R. ; Battersby, Malcolm W.

Journal: Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

Year Published: 2020

Date Added: August 25, 2020

Problem gambling not only harms the gambler but can also harm their loved ones. Partners who live with someone with problem gambling may experience significant harm if their partner does not seek treatment. This study interviewed 15 people whose partner had a gambling problem but was not seeking help. The participants were constantly worried about and exhausted by their partner’s gambling. They also experienced a lot of relationship conflict and felt isolated from their partner. However, many of them kept the problem a secret from others due to stigma. Overall, there is a need to provide support programs for partners of people with a gambling problem.

Citation: Riley, B. J., Lawn, S. J., Crisp, B. R., & Battersby, M. W. (2020). “When I’m not angry I am anxious”: The lived experiences of individuals in a relationship with a non-help-seeking problem gambling – A hermeneutic phenomenological study. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407520928581

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407520928581

Keywords: interviews ; lived experience ; problem gambling ; qualitative

Conceptual Framework Factors: Social - Stigmatization ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Social Factors ; Gambling Resources

Study Design: Other Qualitative

Geographic Coverage: Australia, South Australia

Study Population: Adults who lived with a partner who had a gambling problem and were not seeking treatment (N = 15). The partner was not required to have been diagnosed formally with problem gambling. Participants must be at least 18 years old and not have a gambling problem themselves.

Sampling Procedure: Researchers posted flyers in public locations such as hospitals, community centres, and shopping centres. The flyers said they were looking for people who lived with a partner who had problem gambling and did not seek help for it. The flyer invited potential participants to call the researchers, where they were screened over the phone to check they met the inclusion criteria and then made arrangements for an in-person interview (N=15).

Study Funding:

This research was funded by a Flinders University Faculty seeding grant No. 01.576.39800.