Anticipated Motives for Gambling Treatment in Adults from the U.S.

AbstractPrior works note that identifying problematic play is a leading barrier to treatment seeking, contributing to low treatment rates in those with gambling problems (e.g., Bijker et al., 2022; Suurvali et al., 2012a). While research has looked at treatment seekers ’ motives for treatment (Gainsbury et al., 2014; Suurvali et al., 2012b), the situations or signs (anticipated motives) individuals look for that suggest they would need treatment in the future remains unknown. Participants were gamblers (N = 1,791) from a census-matched U.S. sample of adults who reported no concerns about their gambling. Participants completed questions assessing how much money they would have to lose while gambling to think they might have a problem and what factors might motivate them to pursue treatment for ga mbling problems in the future. Participants reported a wide range of financial loss that would suggest they had a problem, and higher income men who gambled more frequently reported higher necessary losses. There was little variation in endorsement (40–60%) of 14 situations that may lead them to s eek treatment in the future (e.g., felt guilty). However, income, gender identity, and problem gambling behavior were linked to the endorsement of some of these anticipated motives, with some differences in endorsement between those engaging in high- and low-level problem gambling. Collectively, res ults are consistent with the inference that many individuals may not be aware of what...

Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - February 24, 2024 Category: Addiction Source Type: research