Does self-efficacy moderate the effect of gambling advertising on problem gambling behaviors?

Abstract

Problem gambling causes significant harm to individuals and society. Financial losses from gambling in Australia exceed those anywhere else in the world. Problem gamblers are overrepresented among substance users and rural and remote Australians. Limited research exists on the impact of gambling advertising on problem gambling among those seeking substance use treatment, in rural/remote areas, and protective factors that may guard against these impacts. This study examined whether self-efficacy to control gambling moderated the relationship between the perceived impact of gambling advertising and problem gambling in people seeking treatment for substance use. Participants (N ϭ 198, 60% female) who had recently sought treatment for substance use from services in rural/remote areas of Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, completed an anonymous online survey. Problem gambling severity was measured by the Problem Gambling Severity Index, with 30% of participants showing at least moderate-risk problem gambling behaviors (12% moderate-risk gambling, 18% high-risk gambling). Moderated regression analyses found self-efficacy to control gambling significantly moderated the relationship between the perceived impacts of gambling advertising and the severity of problem gambling. At low levels of self-efficacy to control gambling, higher perceived impacts of advertising on gambling involvement and awareness were associated with higher levels of problem gambling behavior. However, at high levels of self-efficacy to control gambling, the association between problem gambling and impact of gambling advertising was weaker for involvement and not significant for awareness. Findings suggest that self-efficacy could be targeted as a treatment option to protect vulnerable groups from the effects of gambling advertising.

Perceived Gambling Availability and Adolescent Gambling Behavior: the Moderating Role of Self-Efficacy

“…Thus, in our study, as gambling self-efficacy increases, the effect of perceived gambling availability in gambling behavior decreases and even disappears among those adolescents who perceive high self-efficacy to refuse gambling. In a similar vein, a recent cross-sectional study (Quinn et al, 2019) found that gambling self-efficacy is a protective factor against environmental cues such as gambling advertising.…”

“…Consistently with this postulates, self-efficacy has shown to moderate the impact of environmental factors on problem gambling. For example, Quinn et al (2019) found that the impact of gambling advertising on problem gambling was lower among individuals with high selfefficacy to control gambling in comparison with those with low self-efficacy. Therefore, it could be expected that gambling self-efficacy ameliorates the impact of perceived gambling availability on adolescent gambling behavior.…”

Examining Responsible Gambling Program Awareness and Engagement Trends and Relationships with Gambling Beliefs and Behaviors: A Three-Wave Study of Customers from a Major Gambling Operator

“…For example, placing GameSense RG resources in clearly visible locations in land-based casinos might help to enhance awareness of what educational or help resources are available, which in turn could increase engagement for those at risk or who might want to take proactive steps to gamble in healthier ways. Such an approach might also reduce inattention blindness to these GameSense resources, while empowering patrons with tools to help them manage their gambling behavior by building self-efficacy (see Quinn et al, 2019).…”

Understanding gambling in the United Kingdom: A qualitative study on the experiences of gamblers’ families

“…However, they thought a stigma existed for those gamblers asking for help. According to Quinn et al (2019) , the global gambling market is expanding and expected to reach $635 billion by 2022, largely because of the proliferation of smart devices delivering gambling products. According to statistical data taken from Gross Gambling Yield ( Lange, 2020 ), in Great Britain, the gambling industry increased from roughly 8.4 billion British pounds in 2011 to approximately 14.4 billion in 2018.…”