Problem Gambling and Families: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Problem gambling is an important public health issue affecting many spheres of the gambling individual's life, including mental health, finances, and family. The family is a topic that has been given little attention in problem gambling research. After a comprehensive search of the literature, this review identified and analyzed 30 empirical studies conducted between 1998 and 2013 examining the effects of problem gambling on families, the impact of family involvement in problem gambling treatment, or both. The literature shows that (a) problem gambling has several adverse effects on individuals, families, and family functioning, and (b) family involvement in problem gambling treatment is linked with better treatment outcomes and improved individual and family functioning. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.

Keywords:

• couples
• families
• impact
• pathological gambling
• problem gambling
• systematic review
• treatment

Notes

¹More information is available on the steps followed in an unpublished paper by Kourgiantakis (2013).

²An attempt was made to retrieve the missing data by contacting the author.

³The methodological characteristics of each study are available in an unpublished paper by Kourgiantakis (2013).

⁴The term spouse, which is used for the remainder of this article, also encompasses partner.

⁵ Rychtarik and McGillicuddy (2006) was the only study to have a sample of spouses only. The other four studies had CSOs consisting of a broad range of family members.