The relationship between problem gambling severity and suicide attempts in young adults

View Open Access Article View Snapshot Back to Search Results

snapshot summaries

Author(s): Wardle, Heather ; Kesaite, Viktorija ; Tipping, Sarah ; McManus, Sally

Journal: Lancet Public Health

Year Published: 2023

Date Added: May 31, 2023

Suicide is a leading cause of death among young adults. Additionally, research suggests suicidality and gambling severity may be related. In this study, the researchers analyzed data from a large longitudinal study in the United Kingdom. Participants consisted of youths (aged 16–24) who had gambled within the past year. They responded to the survey at both time points in 2019 (wave 1) and 2020 (wave 2). The researchers examined how changes in gambling severity might affect suicide attempts. The results suggest that increases in gambling severity over time are associated with increased risk of suicide attempts. These findings highlight that repeated screening for gambling harms should be included within relevant health and public service settings.

Citation: Wardle, H., Kesaite, V., Tipping, S., & McManus, S. (2023). Changes in severity of problem gambling and subsequent suicide attempts: A longitudinal survey of young adults in Great Britain, 2018–20. The Lancet Public Health, 8(3), e217–e225. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(23)00008-7

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(23)00008-7

Keywords: screening ; suicide ; youth

Topics: Children and Youth ; Comorbidities ; Priority Populations ; Suicide

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological - Comorbid Disorders ; Psychological Factors ; Social - Social Demographics ; Social Factors

Study Design: Secondary Data Analysis

Geographic Coverage: United Kingdom

Study Population: People aged 18–24 who had gambled in the past year (n = 1941)

Sampling Procedure: Data were drawn from the Emerging Adults Gambling Survey. The survey recruited participants through YouGov’s online panel, a non-probability panel of more than 1 million people living in Great Britain.

Study Funding:

This study is funded by Wellcome Trust.