TY - JOUR

T1 - Gambling problems among United Kingdom Armed Forces veterans: Associations with gambling motivation and posttraumatic stress disorder

AU - Dighton, Glen

AU - Wood, Katie

AU - Fossey, Matt

AU - Hogan, Lee

AU - Rogers, Robert

AU - Kitchiner, Neil

AU - Larcombe, Justyn

AU - Armour, Cherie

PY - 2023/5

Y1 - 2023/5

N2 - Military service, mental health, and gambling activities and motivations as predictors of problem gambling in a sample of UK AF veterans. Age-and-gender matched veterans (n = 1,037) and non-veterans (n = 1,148) completed an online survey of problem gambling, gambling motivation, mental health (depression and anxiety), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Past year problem gambling rates were higher in veterans compared to non-veterans. Veteran status predicted increased problem gambling risk. The relationship between problem gambling and gambling to cope with distress was significantly stronger among veterans. Veterans experiencing PTSD and complex PTSD (C-PTSD) were at increased risk of problem gambling. Overall, the present, findings contribute further international evidence that veterans are a population vulnerable to problem gambling. Veterans with PTSD or C-PTSD are most at-risk and may engage in problematic gambling to escape/avoid distress. Routine screening for gambling problems should be undertaken with current and former military personnel, and further research is needed on the interplay between gambling motivation and veterans’ mental health.

AB - Military service, mental health, and gambling activities and motivations as predictors of problem gambling in a sample of UK AF veterans. Age-and-gender matched veterans (n = 1,037) and non-veterans (n = 1,148) completed an online survey of problem gambling, gambling motivation, mental health (depression and anxiety), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Past year problem gambling rates were higher in veterans compared to non-veterans. Veteran status predicted increased problem gambling risk. The relationship between problem gambling and gambling to cope with distress was significantly stronger among veterans. Veterans experiencing PTSD and complex PTSD (C-PTSD) were at increased risk of problem gambling. Overall, the present, findings contribute further international evidence that veterans are a population vulnerable to problem gambling. Veterans with PTSD or C-PTSD are most at-risk and may engage in problematic gambling to escape/avoid distress. Routine screening for gambling problems should be undertaken with current and former military personnel, and further research is needed on the interplay between gambling motivation and veterans’ mental health.

KW - Gambling

KW - veterans

KW - mental health

KW - trauma

KW - Motivation

KW - escape/avoidance

U2 - 10.1080/14459795.2022.2063923

DO - 10.1080/14459795.2022.2063923

M3 - Article

VL - 23

SP - 35

EP - 56

JO - International Gambling Studies

JF - International Gambling Studies

SN - 1445-9795

IS - 1

ER -