The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the treatment and help-services for gambling problems in Finland

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Author(s): Marionneau, Virve ; Järvinen-Tassopoulos, Johanna

Journal: Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

Year Published: 2021

Date Added: November 10, 2021

The COVID-19 lockdown had resulted in an overall decrease in gambling. But, the lockdown also resulted in the closure of help services for gambling while some services moved online. The researchers explored the experiences and views of people in Finland regarding treatment and help services during the lockdown. Three online questionnaires were conducted in the Spring of 2020 in Finland. The researchers were interested in questions related to help services. A total of 847 participants completed the online questionnaires. The majority engaged in gambling (688 participants), 97 were concerned significant others (CSOs), and 62 were both. The reduction of gambling resulted in less need for services. The closure of services had negative impacts on people experiencing gambling problems. But, participants were generally positive about online services. Participants also made suggestions on how to improve services during and after COVID-19.

Citation: Marionneau, V., & Järvinen-Tassopoulos, J. (2021). Treatment and help services for gambling during COVID-19: Experiences of gamblers and their concerned significant others. Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/14550725211030727

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/14550725211030727

Keywords: Concerned Significant Other (CSO) ; COVID-19 ; gambling behaviours ; public health ; support services ; treatment

Topics: Gambling Resources ; Information for Treatment Providers ; Public Health

Conceptual Framework Factors: Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Social - Family and Peer Gambling Involvement ; Gambling Environment ; Resources - Service Access and Use ; Environment - Public Policy ; Gambling Resources ; Resources - Interventions

Study Design: Qualitative: Content Analysis

Geographic Coverage: Finland

Study Population: N = 847 people who gamble or are concerned significant others

Sampling Procedure: Convenience sampling – The data were collected for three distinct online surveys during the spring of 2020 in Finland. The surveys were developed by the University of Helsinki (UH), the SOSPED Foundation, and the Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention (EHYT). Participants were recruited through different online channels, including social media and online communities. The UH and the SOSPED surveys were also distributed to help-seekers.

Study Funding:

The researchers received funding from the Academy of Finland and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland.