A study of factors contributing to the aggravation of gambling disorder

While many Japanese nationals are considered to have problems with pachinko and pachisuro (Japanese slot machines), the factors contributing to the process by which gambling disorder-is aggravated remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish baseline data for measures to prevent the further escalation of this gambling disorder; To elucidate the contributing factors, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to pathological gamblers. The survey items were composed of the following basic attributes; scores on the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS); gambling motivation; matters arising, after gambling behavior; remedies for excessive gambling; the Kessler 6 (K6); the CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye opener) questionnaire; and the 8-item Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale at Kwansei Gakuin IV (FACESKGIV-8). The results of hierarchical multiple regression analysis using SOGS scores as the dependent variable indicated that the variables determined to contribute to the aggravation of gambling addiction were age, sex, past employment experience in the service sector, obtaining money as a motivation for gambling, and seeing limits as a remedy for excessive gambling. Because gamblers tend to fixate on money and experience increasing difficulty devoting attention to other matters as gambling problems grow more serious, the results of this study suggest the need to provide environments that will enable affected individuals to reflect on their own style of gambling at the stage at which their gambling behavior begins to exceed the scope of their own revenue.