Gambling problems in the family--a stratified probability sample study of prevalence and reported consequences.
BACKGROUND
Prior studies on the impact of problem gambling in the family mainly include help-seeking populations with small numbers of participants. The objective of the present stratified probability sample study was to explore the epidemiology of problem gambling in the family in the general population.


METHODS
Men and women 16-74 years-old randomly selected from the Norwegian national population database received an invitation to participate in this postal questionnaire study. The response rate was 36.1% (3,483/9,638). Given the lack of validated criteria, two survey questions ("Have you ever noticed that a close relative spent more and more money on gambling?" and "Have you ever experienced that a close relative lied to you about how much he/she gambles?") were extrapolated from the Lie/Bet Screen for pathological gambling. Respondents answering "yes" to both questions were defined as Concerned Significant Others (CSOs).


RESULTS
Overall, 2.0% of the study population was defined as CSOs. Young age, female gender, and divorced marital status were factors positively associated with being a CSO. CSOs often reported to have experienced conflicts in the family related to gambling, worsening of the family's financial situation, and impaired mental and physical health.


CONCLUSIONS
Problematic gambling behaviour not only affects the gambling individual but also has a strong impact on the quality of life of family members.
Wenzel
Hanne Gro
HG
Department of Epidemiology, SINTEF Health Research, Abels gate 5, 7465-Trondheim, Norway.
Oren
Anita
A
Bakken
Inger Johanne
IJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D034462:Dissent and Disputes / Q000191:economics*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult