Gambling with Your Health: Associations Between Gambling Problem Severity and Health Risk Behaviours, Health and Wellbeing

AbstractThe current study examined the association between gambling problem severity and health risk behaviours, health and wellbeing. A cross-sectional survey (including representative population and supplementary convenience samples) was conducted with 2303 adult residents  of a British Island. Gambling problem severity was assessed using the Problem Gambling Severity Index. The EQ-5D-5L, WEMWBS and AUDIT-C were used to measure general health, mental wellbeing and alcohol use, respectively. Other measures included diet, physical exercise and tobacco use. Difference s between gambling severity levels for each measure were analysed using logistic regression adjusting for age, sex and income. Compared to non-problem gamblers, moderate/high severity gamblers had higher odds of a poor diet, low physical exercise and poor general health. Tobacco use was associated w ith both low and moderate/high severity gambling. Low severity, but not moderate/high severity gambling, was significantly associated with binge and higher risk drinking behaviours. Health risk behaviours tended to cluster, with a graded relationship between gambling problem severity and odds of re porting at least two health risk behaviours. Compared to non-problem gamblers, low severity gamblers were approximately twice as likely and moderate/high severity gamblers were three times as likely, to have low mental wellbeing. Findings suggest associations between gambling problems and a range of health risk behaviou...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - Category: Addiction Source Type: research