Motivators for Seeking Gambling-Related Treatment Among Ontario Problem Gamblers
Date
2012
Authors
Suurvali, Helen
Hodgins, David
Toneatto, Tony
Cunningham, John
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
A random digit dialing telephone survey was used to interview 8,467 adults in Ontario, Canada. The NODS-CLiP was used to identify a representative sample of 730 gamblers (54. 3% male, mean age 45. 3 years) with possible past year gambling problems in order to explore factors that might affect disordered gamblers' motivators for seeking gambling-related help. A final sample of 526 gamblers provided useable data on possible reasons for and barriers to seeking help, awareness of services, self-perception of gambling problems and experience with help-seeking. Financial and relationship issues were the most frequently volunteered motivators. However, over two-thirds of the respondents could not think of a reason for seeking help. Gamblers who had self-admitted or more severe problems, who knew how to get help, who were employed and had more education, and who identified possible barriers to seeking help were more likely to suggest motivators, especially financial ones. More research is recommended on gamblers' trajectory towards recognition of a gambling problem, the process of overcoming specific barriers to treatment, and the role of social advantage (e. g., education and employment), in order to devise educational campaigns that will encourage earlier help-seeking among disordered gamblers.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: adult; article; awareness; Canada; female; group therapy; health survey; human; interview; male; middle aged; motivation; pathological gambling; patient attitude; psychological aspect; self concept; socioeconomics; Adult; Awareness; Female; Gambling; Heal Awareness of services; Canada; Motivators for help-seeking; Population survey; Problem or pathological gambling
Citation
Collections
Source
Journal of Gambling Studies
Type
Journal article