title: The relationship between cultural variables and gambling behavior among Chinese residing in Australia.
abstract: Cultural variables (e.g., cultural values, acculturation and attitudes towards seeking professional assistance) have been found to play important roles in the initiation and maintenance of numerous mental health and substance related problems. However, there is a significant lack of empirical studies investigating the relationships between these cultural variables and gambling behavior. Thus, this study assessed whether these cultural variables could predict gambling behavior among 233 Chinese residing in Australia. Several questionnaires were used in the study including the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the Asian Values Scale (AVS), Attitudes towards Seeking Psychological Help Scale (ATSPHS) and the modified version of the Cultural Life Style Inventory (CLSI). Results showed that although adherence to Asian values could not predict gambling behavior, acculturation (i.e., cultural shift and cultural incorporation) could negatively predict gambling behavior. Furthermore, the interpersonal openness subscale of ATSPHS could predict gambling behavior. Implications of these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oei
authors.forename: Namrata
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raylu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult