Vulnerability and Comorbidity Factors of Female Problem Gambling

Abstract

This study helps to address a deficiency of gender-specific research into problem gambling. It focuses on the gambling behaviors, family and personal histories and comorbid psychological disorders of 365 female gamblers from across Ontario, Canada, who responded to a mail-in survey. Specifically, this study looks at rates of depression and anxiety, concurrent struggles with other behaviors (such as alcohol and drug use, disordered eating, overspending and criminal activity) and abuse history reported by female gamblers. The reported rates are considerably higher than for the general female population. The findings of this study agree with previous research. They suggest that prevention strategies and treatment practices for female problem gamblers should take into account women's mental health, addiction and trauma history as contributing factors in the development of problematic gambling.

Beyond description: Understanding gender differences in problem gambling

“…Based on past literature, we propose three main reasons these motivations translate into chance-based games, thereby increasing women's risk for problem gambling. First, higher rates of internalizing/affective disorders push women towards non-social games like video lottery terminals (VLTs) (Boughton & Falenchuk, 2007;Grant et al, 2002). Second, the monotony and minimal effort required by VLTs provide an easy and desired dissociative effect in the face of stress and negative emotions (Ibanez et al, 2003;Specker et al, 1996).…”

“…Research has typically considered the male experience as the benchmark, assuming that what is true for a male problem gambler is also true for a female (Mark & Lesieur, 1992). Recent literature acknowledges that there is a shortage of gender-specific research in problem gambling (Boughton & Falenchuk, 2007;Lesieur & Blume, 1991;Mark & Lesieur, 1992), and the research that exists is 'woefully inadequate' (Piquette & Stevens, 2012). Differences in prevalence across genders are likely reflective of differences in the experience of problem gambling and the broader framework of gendered health experiences and outcomes.…”

“…Often, they experience instability or trauma during childhood, abusive or troublesome relationships in adulthood, and low (real or perceived) social status (Boughton & Falenchuk, 2007;Bunkle, 2009;Petry & Steinberg, 2005;Specker, Carlson, Edmonson, Johnson & Marcotte, 1996). As a result, another reason women often turn to gambling is for a temporary sense of empowerment (Bunkle, 2009;Casey, 2008).…”

“…The number of recent studies with a sample of at least one third females that touch on gender differences is minimal; only 40 studies meet this criterion (Afifi et al, 2010a;Boughton & Falenchuk, 2007;Crisp et al, 2000). Of these, some are large-scale population studies that solely report one-dimensional descriptives of gender differences (Blanco et al, 2006;Desai & Potenza, 2008;Welte et al, 2002).…”

Gambling and Video Game Playing Among Youth

“…Women tend to begin gambling, and to develop gambling problems, later in life than men (Wenzel & Dahl, 2009). It has been speculated that males are drawn to gambling for the excitement, challenge, and social aspect, and begin gambling at an earlier age, whereas females often begin gambling later in life and choose to gamble to escape negative emotions, dissociate, or to relieve boredom, loneliness, and social isolation (Bhullar et al, 2012;Boughton & Falenchuk, 2007;Corney & Davis, 2010;Potenza et al, 2001). …”