An integrative review of research on gambling and domestic and family violence: Fresh perspectives to guide future research

Abstract

This paper presents an integrative review of research on domestic and family violence (DFV), including intimate partner violence (IPV), experienced by victims and perpetrators with a gambling problem. It aims to review, critique, and synthesize research on this topic to generate fresh and alternative perspectives to guide future research. Based on a systematic search of the academic literature and a targeted search of gray literature, the paper summarizes findings from empirical studies pertaining to the prevalence of perpetration and victimization, characteristics of perpetrators and victims, and explanations for this violence. Based on this review, the paper suggests several potential improvements that can be considered in future studies. These include a shift from focusing on situational violence to also include coercive control; greater sensitivity in research design and interpretation to gender differences in experiences of violence; and the need to include economic abuse as a form of DFV/IPV. Adopting a public health lens is also recommended to broaden the research focus from victims and perpetrators to also consider contextual factors. In particular, gambling research should examine the contribution of gambling products, practices, environments, and marketing to DFV/IPV and how this might be ameliorated. While research to date has drawn much needed attention to the risks that gambling presents for DFV/IPV, this review provides some suggestions for future research so that it can provide more nuanced findings to inform policy and practice.

Intimate partner violence linked to gambling: cohort and period effects on the past experiences of older women

“…They downplayed emotional, verbal and financial abuse, which was often linked to his gambling, and did not consider seeking help. There was also no public discourse about problem gambling at the time and that it can exacerbate controlling, coercive and abusive behaviours [6]. Instead, the women, their families and friends, services and institutions saw gambling as a normal, harmless pastime.…”

“…In a representative US survey (N = 25,631), having a gambling problem nearly tripled the likelihood of physical IPV [5]. These rates would be higher if all types of IPV were measured, including psychological, sexual, verbal and financial abuse and patterns of coercive control [6].…”

“…Several factors heighten the risk of IPV perpetration among people experiencing problem gambling [6]. These include the stress that gambling creates, which leads to financial, emotional and relationship pressures that increase the risk of violent incidents, particularly when a person's gambling losses fuel their anger and frustration [7][8][9][10].…”

“…Several factors elevate the risk of IPV perpetration against people with a gambling problem [6]. Intimate partners typically report shock, betrayal, anger and fear when a gambling problem is revealed [21][22][23][24].…”

The Commercial Determinants of Violence: Identifying Opportunities for Violence Prevention through a Public Health-Based Framework Analysis

“…Opioid use has direct links with violent behavior including intimate partner violence [20] and may be linked to drug-related crime and violence [21,22]. Equally, the gambling industry actively resists legislative measures designed to reduce gambling-related harms despite links with intimate partner, child, and other violence [23,24]. Although evidence on the impact of video gaming content on players' aggression is contested [25], industries reject considerations that restrictions on highly violent content may be prudent [26].…”