Gambling and Perceived Health Among Adult Jail Inmates

Abstract

Gambling problems have been associated with lower perceived health in community samples, but little research has examined this relationship in an incarcerated population. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived health and gambling problems of adult inmates (18-49 years old) in a county jail. We surveyed 184 male and female inmates aged 18-49 years. Nearly 35% of inmates scored as problem or pathological gamblers, and inmates scored significantly lower on all Short Form-36 Version 2 perceived health scales than the U.S. population norm. There were no significant differences on perceived health scores between recreational and problem/pathological gamblers. The high prevalence of gambling problems and poor perceived health necessitates research to provide screenings and test effectiveness of gambling and health interventions in this population.

Behind Bars: Experiences Conducting Behavioral Addictions Research in a County Jail

“…The prevalence of problem and pathological gambling was 35%; among individuals who scored in the problem and pathological range, only 23% specifi ed they had a gambling problem (Hickey et al, 2014). Although perceived health scores showed no signifi cant differences between recreational gamblers and problem and pathological gambler groups, scores were signifi cantly lower compared to U.S. norms (Hickey et al, 2014). In addition, although it is evident inmates experience higher rates of problem or pathological gambling, rates of other behavioral addictions in jails are unknown.…”

“…However, Turner, Preston, Saunders, McAvoy, and Jain (2009) studied Canadian male federal prisoners and found a lower preva-lence (13%) of disordered gambling. In the current authors' original study (Hickey, Kerber, Astroth, Kim, & Schlenker, 2014), 184 inmates were surveyed regarding gambling behavior and perceived health using the South Oaks Gambling Screen (Lesieur & Blume, 1987) and Short Form 36v2 Health Survey (Ware, Kosinski, & Gandek, 2005). The prevalence of problem and pathological gambling was 35%; among individuals who scored in the problem and pathological range, only 23% specifi ed they had a gambling problem (Hickey et al, 2014).…”

“…In the current authors' original study (Hickey, Kerber, Astroth, Kim, & Schlenker, 2014), 184 inmates were surveyed regarding gambling behavior and perceived health using the South Oaks Gambling Screen (Lesieur & Blume, 1987) and Short Form 36v2 Health Survey (Ware, Kosinski, & Gandek, 2005). The prevalence of problem and pathological gambling was 35%; among individuals who scored in the problem and pathological range, only 23% specifi ed they had a gambling problem (Hickey et al, 2014). Although perceived health scores showed no signifi cant differences between recreational gamblers and problem and pathological gambler groups, scores were signifi cantly lower compared to U.S. norms (Hickey et al, 2014).…”