Gambling and the family: From the stress‐coping‐support Perspective1
- 1 July 2002
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in International Gambling Studies
- Vol. 2 (1), 61-83
- https://doi.org/10.1080/14459790208732300
Abstract
Aims: To apply the stress‐coping‐support perspective to the study of the effects of problem gambling in the family. Specifically, to examine the ways in which family members cope and the nature and sources of support they receive. To compare coping strategies of family members of gamblers with those of individuals living with other addictive behaviour in the family. Design: Cross‐sectional interview and questionnaire study of close relatives of problem gamblers. Participants: Sixteen close family members of gamblers from separate families, mainly parents and partners. Data: Semi‐structured interview; adapted version of the Coping Questionnaire (CQ). Findings: Data from the CQ and qualitative analysis of interview data suggested considerable use of ‘engaged’ (specifically controlling) ways of attempting to cope with such problems, comparable to the use of such strategies by relatives of people with alcohol or drug problems, but little use of ‘tolerant‐accepting’ and ‘withdrawal’ ways. Interview data on the support received (or not) by family members confirmed previous research showing that relatives of people with addiction problems often feel unsupported, but particularly appreciate positive emotional and practical support for themselves and their problem gambling relatives. Conclusions: The stress‐coping‐support perspective, previously applied to families with alcohol and drug problems, also offers an appropriate framework for understanding problem gambling and the family.Keywords
This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit:
- Estimating the extent and degree of Gambling related problems in the Australian population: A national surveyJournal of Gambling Studies, 1996
- The New Zealand national survey of problem and pathological gamblingJournal of Gambling Studies, 1996
- The prevalence of pathological gambling in CanadaJournal of Gambling Studies, 1996
- Social cost of pathological gamblingJournal of Gambling Studies, 1994
- Governmental response to juvenile fruit machine gambling in the U.K: Where do we go from here?Journal of Gambling Studies, 1991
- Book review of amusement machines: Dependency and delinquencyJournal of Gambling Studies, 1991
- Gambling: the psychology of a non‐drug compulsionDrug and Alcohol Review, 1990
- Children of Gamblers Anonymous membersJournal of Gambling Studies, 1989
- Children of problem gamblersJournal of Gambling Studies, 1989
- Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis.Psychological Bulletin, 1985