Trauma and Gambling: A Scoping Review of Qualitative Research

Eva Monson; Patrizia Villotti; Benjamin Hack

doi:10.29173/cgs113

Authors

Eva Monson https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6063-6973
Patrizia Villotti UQAM https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4528-6340
Benjamin Hack McGill University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5099-3141

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29173/cgs113

Keywords:

gambling, trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD, gambling harm, traumatic stress, review, qualitative

Abstract

Both gambling-related problems and trauma have long been associated with substantial costs for individuals, their families, and society. Existing reviews of research on the relationship between trauma and gambling have thus far been limited to quantitative work. A scoping review of published peer-reviewed qualitative research was conducted to synthesize existing research concerning the relationship between trauma and gambling. Relevant articles were identified through database searches in Ovid MEDLINE, APA PsycNET, PubMed, Scopus, PTSDpubs, and through hand sorting methods. English and French articles that comprised original qualitative research with results exploring the relationship between trauma and gambling were included. A total of 22 articles published between 2007 and 2022 were included in this review. Four major themes emerged during the narrative and thematic synthesis of the articles: (1) gambling as a consequence of trauma, (2) trauma as a consequence of gambling behavior, (3) cyclical relationship of trauma and gambling, and (4) healing from trauma and gambling-related harms. Future research would benefit from the use of qualitative methods in exploring the complex relationships between trauma and gambling.

References

Akcayir, M., Nicoll, F., & Baxter, D. G. (2021). Patterns of disciplinary involvement and academic collaboration in gambling research: A co-citation analysis. Critical Gambling Studies, 2(1), 21–28. https://doi.org/10.29173/cgs48

Afifi, T., Brownridge, D. A., MacMillan, H., & Sareen, J. (2010). The relationship of gambling to intimate partner violence and child maltreatment in a nationally representative sample. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 44(5), 331–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2009.07.010

Arksey, H., & O’Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616

Atkins, S., Lewin, S., Smith, H., Engel, M., Fretheim, A., & Volmink, J. (2008). Conducting a meta-ethnography of qualitative literature: Lessons learnt. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 8, 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-8-21

Atwoli, L., Stein, D. J., Koenen, K. C., & McLaughlin, K. A. (2015). Epidemiology of posttraumatic stress disorder: Prevalence, correlates and consequences. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 28(4), 307–311. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000167

Banks, J., & Waters, J. (2022). An examination of the interrelationship between disordered gambling and intimate partner violence. International Review of Victimology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/02697580211065508

Benjet, C., Bromet, E., Karam, E. G., Kessler, R. C., McLaughlin, K. A., Ruscio, A. M., Shahly, V., Stein, D. J., Petukhova, M., Hill, E., Alonso, J., Atwoli, L., Bunting, B., Bruffaerts, R., Caldas-de-Almeida, J. M., de Girolamo, G., Florescu, S., Gureje, O., Huang, Y., … Koenen, K. C. (2016). The epidemiology of traumatic event exposure worldwide: Results from the World Mental Health Survey Consortium. Psychological Medicine, 46(2), 327–343. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291715001981

Bisson, J., & Andrew, M. (2007). Psychological treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3). Article CD003388. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003388.pub3

Brydges, N. M., Holmes, M. C., Harris, A. P., Cardinal, R. N., & Hall, J. (2015). Early life stress produces compulsive-like, but not impulsive, behavior in females. Behavioral Neuroscience, 129(3), 300–308. https://doi.org/10.1037/bne0000059

Buchanan, T. W., McMullin, S. D., Baxley, C., & Weinstock, J. (2020). Stress and gambling. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 31, 8–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2019.09.004

Calado, F., & Griffiths, M. D. (2016). Problem gambling worldwide: An update and systematic review of empirical research (2000–2015). Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 5(4), 592–613. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.5.2016.073

Cassidy, R. (2014). Fair game? Producing and publishing gambling research. International Gambling Studies, 14(3), 345–353. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2014.971420

Cassidy, R., Loussouarn, C., & Pisac, A. (2013). Fair game: Producing gambling research. Goldsmiths University of London. https://www.gold.ac.uk/gamblingineurope/report/

Cassidy, R., Pisac, A., & Loussouarn, C. (2013). Qualitative research in gambling: Exploring the production and consumption of risk. Taylor & Francis.

Compas, B. E., Connor-Smith, J. K., Saltzman, H., Thomsen, A. H., & Wadsworth, M. E. (2001). Coping with stress during childhood and adolescence: Problems, progress, and potential in theory and research. Psychological Bulletin, 127(1), 87–127. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.127.1.87

Dowling, N., Suomi, A., Jackson, A., Lavis, T., Patford, J., Cockman, S., Thomas, S., Bellringer, M., Koziol-Mclain, J., Battersby, M., Harvey, P., & Abbott, M. (2016). Problem gambling and intimate partner violence: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 17(1), 43–61. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838014561269

Echeburúa, E., González-Ortega, I., de Corral, P., & Polo-López, R. (2011). Clinical gender differences among adult pathological gamblers seeking treatment. Journal of Gambling Studies, 27(2), 215–227. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-010-9205-1

Felsher, J., Derevensky, J., & Gupta, R. (2010). Young adults with gambling problems: The impact of childhood maltreatment. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 8, 545 556. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-009-9230-4

Green, C. L., Nahhas, R. W., Scoglio, A. A., & Elman, I. (2017). Post-traumatic stress symptoms in pathological gambling: Potential evidence of anti-reward processes. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 6(1), 98–101. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.6.2017.006

Hagen, B., Grant Kalishuk, R., Currie, C., Solowoniuk, J., & Nixon, G. (2013). A big hole with the wind blowing through it: Aboriginal women’s experiences of trauma and problem gambling. International Gambling Studies, 13(3), 356–370. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2013.819934

Hamilton-Wright, S., Woodhall-Melnik, J., Guilcher, S., Schuler, A., Wendaferew, A., Hwang, S., & Matheson, F. (2016). Gambling in the landscape of adversity in youth: Reflections from men who live with poverty and homelessness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(9), 854. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13090854

Hare, S. (2009). A study of gambling in Victoria: Problem gambling from a public health perspective. Victoria Department of Justice. https://www.vgls.vic.gov.au/client/en_AU/vgls/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:349015/ada?qu=Gambling+--+Victoria.&d=ent%3A%2F%2FSD_ILS%2F0%2FSD_ILS%3A349015%7EILS%7E2&h=8

Hing, N., Breen, H., & Gordon, A. (2012). A case study of gambling involvement and its consequences. Leisure Sciences, 34(3), 217–235. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2012.669682

Hing, N., Mainey, L., O’Mullan, C., Nuske, E., Greer, N., Thomas, A., & Breen, H. (2022). Seeking solace in gambling: The cycle of gambling and intimate partner violence against women who gamble. Journal of Gambling Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-022-10134-6

Hing, N., Nuske, E., Breen, H., O’Mullan, C., Mainey, L., & Thomas, A. (2021). Problem gambling and economic abuse against women: An adaptive grounded theory analysis. Addiction Research & Theory, 30(3), 169–179. https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2021.1962847

Hing, N., O’Mullan, C., Breen, H., Nuske, E., & Mainey, L. (2021). How problem gambling by a male partner contributes to intimate partner violence against women: A gendered perspective. International Gambling Studies, 22(1), 82–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2021.1973534

Hing, N., O’Mullan, C., Nuske, E., Breen, H., Mainey, L., Taylor, A., Greer, N., Jenkinson, R., Thomas, A., Lee, J., & Jackson, A. (2021). Gambling-related intimate partner violence against women: A grounded theory model of individual and relationship determinants. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605211037425

Hodgins, D. C., Schopflocher, D. P., el-Guebaly, N., Casey, D. M., Smith, G. J., Williams, R. J., & Wood, R. T. (2010). The association between childhood maltreatment and gambling problems in a community sample of adult men and women. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 24(3), 548–554. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019946

Hodgins, D. C., Schopflocher, D. P., Martin, C. R., el-Guebaly, N., Casey, D. M., Currie, S. R., Smith, G. J., & Williams, R. J. (2012). Disordered gambling among higher-frequency gamblers: Who is at risk? Psychological Medicine, 42(11), 2433–2444. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291712000724

Holdsworth, L., Nuske, E., & Hing, N. (2015). A grounded theory of the influence of significant life events, psychological co-morbidities and related social factors on gambling involvement. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 13(2), 257-273. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-014-9527-9

Holdsworth, L., & Tiyce, M. (2012). Exploring the hidden nature of gambling problems among people who are homeless. Australian Social Work, 65(4), 474–489. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2012.689309

Grant Kalischuk, R. (2010). Cocreating life pathways: Problem gambling and its impact on families. The Family Journal, 18(1), 7–17.https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480709357898

Kausch, O., Rugle, L., & Rowland, D. Y. (2006). Lifetime histories of trauma among pathological gamblers. American Journal on Addictions, 15(1), 35–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/10550490500419045

Kessler, R. C., Aguilar-Gaxiola, S., Alonso, J., Benjet, C., Bromet, E. J., Cardoso, G., Degenhardt, L., de Girolamo, G., Dinolova, R. V., Ferry, F., Florescu, S., Gureje, O., Haro, J. M., Huang, Y., Karam, E. G., Kawakami, N., Lee, S., Lepine, J. P., Levinson, D., … Koenen, K. C. (2017). Trauma and PTSD in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 8(sup5), Article1353383. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2017.1353383

Lane, W., Sacco, P., Downton, K., Ludeman, E., Levy, L., & Tracy, J. K. (2016). Child maltreatment and problem gambling: A systematic review. Child Abuse & Neglect, 58, 24–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.06.003

Lee, B., Solowoniuk, J., & Fong, M. (2007). ‘I was independent since I was born’: Pre‐immigration traumatic experiences and pathological gambling in four Chinese Canadians. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 3(2), 33–50. https://doi.org/10.1108/17479894200700011

Luo, H. (2020a). An exploratory study through a life course perspective: Gambling among older Chinese people in a Canadian context. Ageing International, 46(3), 253-284. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-020-09383-w

Luo, H. (2020b). Understanding gambling among older Filipino-Canadians: Recommendations for social work intervention for older gamblers with minority cultural backgrounds. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313204.2020.1839615

MacDonald, M., McMullan, J. L., & Perrier, D. C. (2004). Gambling households in Canada. Journal of Gambling Studies, 20(3), 187–236. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOGS.0000040277.85569.a1

MacLean, S., Maltzahn, K., Thomas, D., Atkinson, A., & Whiteside, M. (2019). Gambling in two regional Australian Aboriginal communities: A social practice analysis. Journal of Gambling Studies, 35(4), 1331–1345. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-019-09858-9

Moore, L. H., & Grubbs, J. B. (2021). Gambling Disorder and comorbid PTSD: A systematic review of empirical research. Addictive Behaviors, 114, Article 106713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106713

Najavits, L. M., Weiss, R. D., & Shaw, S. R. (1997). The link between substance abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder in women. The American Journal on Addictions, 6(4), 273–283. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1521-0391.1997.tb00408.x

Nixon, G., Evans, K., Grant Kalischuk, R., Solowoniuk, J., McCallum, K., & Hagen, B. (2013). Female gambling, trauma, and the not good enough self: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 11(2), 214–231. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-012-9413-2

Nixon, G., Solowoniuk, J., Boni, L. J., & Grant Kalischuk, R. (2013). Linking gambling and trauma: A phenomenological hermeneutic case study using Almaas’ Transformation of Narcissism Approach. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 11(1), 123–138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-012-9403-4

Nuske, E. M., Holdsworth, L., & Breen, H. (2016). Significant life events and social connectedness in Australian women’s gambling experiences. Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 33(1), 7–26. https://doi.org/10.1515/nsad-2016-0002

O’Brien, B. C., Harris, I. B., Beckman, T. J., Reed, D. A., & Cook, D. A. (2014). Standards for reporting qualitative research: a synthesis of recommendations. Academic medicine, 89(9), 1245-1251. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000000388

O’Mullan, C., Hing, N., Mainey, L., Nuske, E., & Breen, H. (2021). Understanding the determinants of gambling-related intimate partner violence: Perspectives from women who gamble. Violence Against Women, 28(12-13), 3037–3059. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012211051399

Ouimette, P., & Brown, P. J. (2002). Trauma and substance abuse: Causes, consequences, and treatment of comorbid disorders (1st ed.). American Psychological Association.

Petry, N. M., Steinberg, K. L., & The Women’s Problem Gambling Research Group. (2005). Childhood maltreatment in male and female treatment-seeking pathological gamblers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 19(2), 226–229. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-164X.19.2.226

Polkinghorne, D. E. (2005). Language and meaning: Data collection in qualitative research. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52(2), 137–145. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.52.2.137

Reith, G., & Dobbie, F. (2012). Lost in the game: Narratives of addiction and identity in recovery from problem gambling. Addiction Research & Theory, 20(6), 511–521. https://doi.org/10.3109/16066359.2012.672599

Reith, G., & Dobbie, F. (2013). Gambling careers: A longitudinal, qualitative study of gambling behaviour. Addiction Research & Theory, 21(5), 376 390. https://doi.org/10.3109/16066359.2012.731116

Saugeres, L., Thomas, A., & Moore, S. (2014). ‘It wasn’t a very encouraging environment’: Influence of early family experiences on problem and at-risk gamblers in Victoria, Australia. International Gambling Studies, 14(1), 132 145. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2013.879729

Saugeres, L., Thomas, A., Moore, S., & Bates, G. (2012). Gamblers tell their stories: Life patterns of gambling. Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. https://responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au/documents/87/Research-report-gamblers-tell-their-story.pdf

Schüll, N. D. (2012). Addiction by design. Princeton University Press.

Shaffer, H., & Jones, S. B. (1989). Quitting cocaine: The struggle against impulse. Lexington Books.

Shaffer, H. J., & Korn, D. A. (2002). Gambling and related mental disorders: A public health analysis. Annual Review of Public Health, 23(1), 171–212. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.23.100901.140532

Sharma, A., & Sacco, P. (2015). Adverse childhood experiences and gambling: Results from a national survey. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 15(1), 25–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/1533256X.2015.996502

Statistics Canada. (2003). Canadian Community Health Survey - Mental Health and Well-being -Canadian Forces (CCHS-CF). https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p2SV.pl?Function=getSurvey&Id=14189

Thomas, A. C., Sullivan, G. B., & Allen, F. C. L. (2009). A theoretical model of EGM problem gambling: More than a cognitive escape. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 7(1), 97–107. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-008-9152-6

Tricco, A. C., Lillie, E., Zarin, W., O’Brien, K. K., Colquhoun, H., Levac, D., Moher, D., Peters, M. D. J., Horsley, T., Weeks, L., Hempel, S., Akl, E. A., Chang, C., McGowan, J., Stewart, L., Hartling, L., Aldcroft, A., Wilson, M. G., Garritty, C., … Straus, S. E. (2018). PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and explanation. Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(7), 467–473. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-0850

Wardle, H. (2019). Perceptions, people and place: Findings from a rapid review of qualitative research on youth gambling. Addictive Behaviors, 90, 99-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.10.008

Williams, R. J., Rehm, J., & Stevens, R. M. G. (2011). The social and economic impacts of gambling. Canadian Consortium for Gambling Research. https://hdl.handle.net/10133/1286

Trauma and Gambling

A Scoping Review of Qualitative Research

Authors

DOI:

Keywords:

Abstract

References

Downloads

Published

How to Cite

Issue

Section

License

Most read articles by the same author(s)

logo

about

Current Issue

Information