Factors associated with disordered gambling in Finland

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Disordered gambling encompasses problem and pathological gambling behaviors.
• Understanding the interplay of socio-demographic, gambling-related, and well-being factors is crucial for public health interventions.
• Previous research has identified various risk factors, but a comprehensive analysis across different gambling severity levels is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare socio-demographic profiles across non-problem, problem, and pathological gamblers.
• To examine associations between gambling factors, perceived health, and well-being in these subgroups.
• To analyze how socio-demographics, gambling factors, and well-being predict disordered gambling severity.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide telephone survey was conducted in Finland in 2011.
• A subsample (N=3451) of individuals aged 15-74 with past-year gambling involvement was analyzed.
• The South Oaks Gambling Screen assessed gambling, with statistical significance determined by chi-squared tests and logistic regression for odds ratios.

Main Results:

• Male gender, younger age, and lower education (≤12 years) were significant socio-demographic predictors.
• Slot machine and internet gambling were identified as key gambling-related factors.
• Loneliness, daily smoking, risky alcohol consumption, and mental health problems were associated with disordered gambling.

Conclusions:

• Problem gambling is particularly associated with male gender, loneliness, smoking, and risky alcohol consumption.
• Pathological gambling shows associations with mental health problems and risky alcohol consumption.
• These findings highlight the importance of considering mental health and substance use in disordered gambling screenings.