Concerned significant others of persons with problem gambling and problem gaming: Prevalence and characteristics in...

Problem gambling (PG) and problem gaming (GAM) generate concern for close ones often denoted as concerned significant others (CSO). There is a dearth of evidence on the characteristics associated with being a CSO of PG and GAM, which is explored in the present study.

A total of 2,000 persons (aged 16-74 years), randomly drawn from the Norwegian population registry, were invited to respond to a questionnaire assessing current or past concerns about gambling and gaming of significant others, as well as questions about their own gambling, gaming, alcohol and illegal drug use, personality traits, and demographic characteristics. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify correlates of being a CSO of PG and GAM, split by close (i.e., first degree relatives and partners) and remote relationships.

In all, 575 persons (46% men, age M = 44.05, SD = 17.31 years) completed the questionnaire (response rate = 30.4%). The prevalence of ever being a CSO was 23.2% for PG (6.8% for close, specifically) and 27.1% for GAM (17.4% for close, specifically). Close/PG was associated with higher Neuroticism. Remote/PG was associated with lower education and own PG. Close/GAM were younger. Remote/GAM correlates were lower income, own PG, and higher Extraversion scores.

PG and GAM have high CSO prevalence rates. In line with the problem behavior theory, the correlates of being a CSO suggest the presence of environments with problems and fewer resources connected to PG and GAM.