Associations between problem gambling, socio-demographics, mental health factors and gambling type: sex differences among Finnish gamblers

Abstract

This study examined associations between problem gambling and type of gambling engagement (online, land-based or both), psychological distress, alcohol-related problems and demographics among male (n = 1438) and female (n = 1546) past-year gamblers in Western Finland. In this sample, 7.6% of men and 3.1% of women were screened as problem gamblers. Logistic regression analyses were used to study the associations for men and women separately. Among men, engaging in both land-based and online gambling or engaging in online gambling only and psychological distress increased the risk of problem gambling. Among women, engaging in both land-based and online gambling and alcohol-related problems were significantly associated with problem gambling. The findings further highlight the need to consider sex differences in preventive and treatment initiatives and policies targeting problem gambling. Online gambling seems to have stronger links with problem gambling, which motivates further research in the eventual harmfulness of this gambling form.

Keywords::

• problem gambling
• mental health
• sex
• survey
• Finland

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the research group of the Western Finland Mental Health Survey for valuable discussions during the work process.

Additional information

Funding

Funding

This research was funded by Stiftelsen för Åbo Akademi, Svensk-Österbottniska Samfundet, Högskolestiftelsen i Österbotten, and the Medical Research Fund of Vaasa hospital district.

Notes on contributors

Johanna Nordmyr

Johanna Nordmyr is a PhD candidate in Developmental Psychology at Åbo Akademi University in Vaasa, Finland and a researcher at the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in Vaasa. Her research is focused on problem gambling and its associations to mental health, psychosocial factors, and different gambling forms, especially online gambling.

Anna K. Forsman

Anna K. Forsman is a postdoctoral researcher at the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in Vaasa, and Nordic School of Public health NHV, Gothenburg, Sweden. Her research interests include mental health promotion and preventive public health interventions in a life course perspective.

Kristian Wahlbeck

Kristian Wahlbeck is a psychiatrist with public mental health research interests. He is Director of Development at the Finnish Association for Mental Health (FAMH) and Research Professor at the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), and leader of the Western Finland Mental Health Survey.

Kaj Björkqvist

Kaj Björkqvist is Professor of Developmental Psychology at Åbo Akademi University in Vaasa, Finland, Adjunct Professor of Social Psychology at Turku University, Finland, and a licensed psychologist. His research is focused mostly on human aggression and conflict resolution, media psychology, world view, cross-cultural studies and research methodology.

Karin Österman

Karin Österman is Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology at Åbo Akademi University in Vaasa, Finland, Adjunct Professor of Social Psychology at Helsinki University, Finland, and a licensed psychologist. Her research includes studies on aggression in schools and workplaces, conflict resolution, physical punishment, temper tantrums and pathological gambling among online gamblers.