Problem gambling, familial violence and alcohol misuse: exploring the triad for treatment-seekers

Abstract

Research into the co-occurrence of problem gambling, familial violence, and alcohol misuse is limited. While these issues have been considered in combination (i.e. violence and alcohol misuse, problem gambling and alcohol misuse, problem gambling and violence), within Australia, in particular, there has been an absence of exploration of this triad. The current research attempts to fill the gap in the literature, to establish whether there is any difference between problem gamblers with co-occurring violence and problem gamblers who had not experienced violence in terms of their alcohol misuse and gambling behaviours. Interviews were conducted with 81 treatment-seeking problem gamblers to explore how a history of victimization only, perpetration only, victimization and perpetration, or no history of family violence impacted on gambling behaviours (including baseline Victorian Gambling Screen), as well as alcohol misuse. Results indicated that in this treatment-seeking sample there were no significant differences for gambling behaviours or alcohol misuse between problem gamblers with issues of violence and those without. Males demonstrated (on average) a greater tendency toward hazardous drinking or disordered alcohol use. It would be prudent for treatment services to routinely examine problem gamblers' history of violence and alcohol misuse until research verifies the nature of this triad.

Keywords::

• problem gambling
• violence
• alcohol misuse
• treatment

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tiffany J. Lavis

Tiffany J. Lavis is an Associate Lecturer at Flinders University. Her academic expertise is broad, encompassing the areas of law, psychology and marketing, and includes teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her research experience includes problem gambling, violence, vicarious traumatization, victim-offender mediation, and decision-making. She has been registered as a psychologist for over 10 years and has experience in the assessment and treatment of crime victims and offenders, programme development and advocacy.

Peter W. Harvey

Peter W. Harvey is Director of the Flinders Centre for Gambling Research and Manager of the Statewide Gambling Therapy Service (SGTS) in South Australia. He is also the Director of the Flinders Centre for Gambling Research which is a centre within the Southgate Institute at Flinders University.

Malcolm W. Battersby

Malcolm W. Battersby is Professor of psychiatry and Director of Flinders Human Behaviour and Health Research Unit and course leader of the Mental Health Science programs at Flinders University. He is also the Director of the Flinders Centre for Gambling Research which is a centre within the Southgate Institute at Flinders University.