Problem gambling can affect the lives of many people. Family and affected others (FAOs) of people who gamble can experience negative consequences related to their loved one’s gambling. This study was interested in the experiences of women FAOs and their needs for intervention. The researchers wanted to use this information to inform support services for women FAOs. They interviewed eight women FAOs who were seeking community support services. The participants were all mothers; most had a former male partner with problem gambling. Two overarching themes were identified in the interviews. First, gender inequality produced the expectation that the women would take care of and address gambling harm in their family. Poverty was a driver of gambling. Second, the women felt the need to position themselves as “good mothers” who shielded their children from harm. This could prevent them from seeking gambling support for fear of being seen as “bad mothers”.
