Associations between Problematic Gambling, Gaming, and Internet Use: A Cross-Sectional Population Survey

Abstract

Background While pathological gambling, or gambling disorder, is an established diagnosis, a link to other potential behavioural addictions has been suggested. The present study aimed to investigate whether signs of problem gaming and problematic internet use are related to problem gambling in the general population, while including other potential risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional study design, using an electronical questionnaire, administered through a marketing survey company for relative representativeness with respect to age and gender. Potential correlates of problem gambling were measured in binary analyses, and significant associations were entered in a logistic regression analysis controlling them for one another. Problem gambling, gaming, and internet use were measured through established screening instruments (the CLiP, the GAS, and the PRIUSS). Results Statistically significant associations were found between problem gambling and both problem gaming and problematic internet use, as well as with male gender. In logistic regression, problem gaming, problematic internet use, and male gender remained associated with problem gambling. Conclusion After controlling for potential demographic risk factors, problem gaming and problematic internet use may be related to problem gambling, suggesting that these constructs may interact or may share similar risk factors. More research is needed to clarify factors mediating the links between these conditions.

<p>The General Population’s View on Where to Seek Treatment for Gambling Disorder – a General Population Survey</p>

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Problem gambling, associations with comorbid health conditions, substance use, and behavioural addictions: Opportunities for pathways to treatment

“…It can be discussed whether an online survey would bias the prevalence of problem gambling found, compared to face-to-face or postal data collection methods. Previous online surveys in the present setting have tended to report relatively high rates of lifetime problem gambling [71,72] compared to the general population [73]. This leads to the suspicion that an online survey in this area could potentially attract people with more intensive gambling habits.…”

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“…The data was collected online in two different settings in 2017. Both settings addressed problematic gaming, Internet use and gambling in the general population with the aim, among others, to study these behavioural addictions in relation to sexual minority status ( Broman and Hakansson, 2018 , Karlsson et al, 2019 ). The dataset was distributed online and presented as a self-test for problem gaming and gambling, targeting individuals above 15 years of age.…”