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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Mother-bingo bonding: screening for gambling addiction in the neonatal intensive care unit
M H Christensen1, C A Patsdaughter, M St Germain
1Northeastern University School of Nursing, 408 Robinson Hall, Boston, MA 02115, USA. m.christensen@nunet.neu.edu
As the prevalence of gambling increases in society, problem or pathologic gambling in new mothers may interfere with the bonding process as well as with infant and child care. Although neonatal nurses routinely screen for maternal addictions to substances such as alcohol, cocaine, and heroin, they are less likely to be alerted to signs of gambling addiction in new parents. This article presents a case study of a mother with a bingo preoccupation, provides neonatal nurses with an overview of problem and pathologic gambling, presents brief interview questions and a standardized screening tool for assessing gambling problems in parents, and suggests areas for intervention.
As the prevalence of gambling increases in society, problem or pathologic gambling in new mothers may interfere with the bonding process as well as with infant and child care. Although neonatal nurses routinely screen for maternal addictions to substances such as alcohol, cocaine, and heroin, they are less likely to be alerted to signs of gambling addiction in new parents. This article presents a case study of a mother with a bingo preoccupation, provides neonatal nurses with an overview of problem and pathologic gambling, presents brief interview questions and a standardized screening tool for assessing gambling problems in parents, and suggests areas for intervention.
