Examining Gambling and Mental Health in a LGBTI community: Executive summary of findings from a preliminary NSW Study

Philip Birch, Jane L. Ireland, Claire Strickland, Johann Kolstee

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Abstract

This study aimed to explore problematic levels of gambling in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex (LGBTI) communities in NSW Australia, recognising this is an under researched area. The study examined several factors; mental health (anxiety and depression), substance use, alcohol use and self-control, to explore if these were associated with gambling. The study sample was recruited to take part in an online survey. The final sample comprised 69 participants. The findings reveal that gambling activities such as pub slot machines/games (58%), followed by scratch cards (43.5%) were the most common forms of gambling behaviour engaged in by the sample. The amount spent on gambling ranged from $1 - $3000 per month. Furthermore, the data set shows the most common motive for engaging in gambling activities was ‘because it was fun’, followed by ‘because you like the feeling’. Twenty per cent of participants met the criteria for problematic gambling, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM–V, APA, 2012), gambling disorder (GAM – DS)1. Mental health variables, namely depression and anxiety, did not distinguish between problematic and non-problematic gambling whereas alcohol, drug use and self-control did; higher levels of alcohol and higher levels of drug use were present in the problematic gambling group. Self-control was also lower in this group and was demonstrated to represent the most significant predictor of problematic gambling.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationSydney
PublisherACON
Commissioning bodyACON
Number of pages20
Publication statusPublished - 2015

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