title: Risk Factors for Gambling Problems: An Analysis by Gender.
abstract: Differences in problem gambling rates between males and females suggest that associated risk factors vary by gender. Previous combined analyses of male and female gambling may have obscured these distinctions. This study aimed to develop separate risk factor models for gambling problems for males and for females, and identify gender-based similarities and differences. It analysed data from the largest prevalence study in Victoria Australia (N = 15,000). Analyses determined factors differentiating non-problem from at-risk gamblers separately for women and men, then compared genders using interaction terms. Separate multivariate analyses determined significant results when controlling for all others. Variables included demographics, gambling behaviour, gambling motivations, money management, and mental and physical health. Significant predictors of at-risk status amongst female gamblers included: 18-24 years old, not speaking English at home, living in a group household, unemployed or not in the workforce, gambling on private betting, electronic gaming machines (EGMs), scratch tickets or bingo, and gambling for reasons other than social reasons, to win money or for general entertainment. For males, risk factors included: 18-24 years old, not speaking English at home, low education, living in a group household, unemployed or not in the workforce, gambling on EGMs, table games, races, sports or lotteries, and gambling for reasons other than social reasons, to win money or for general entertainment. High risk groups requiring appropriate interventions comprise young adults, especially males; middle-aged female EGM gamblers; non-English speaking populations; frequent EGM, table games, race and sports gamblers; and gamblers motivated by escape.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW, Australia. nerilee.hing@scu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nerilee
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hing
authors.affiliation: Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.|School of Health and Human Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tolchard
authors.affiliation: Center for Gambling Studies, Rutgers University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Lia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nower
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012940:Social Problems; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Female; Gender; Male; Pathological gambling; Prevalence study; Problem gambling; Risk factors