Rates of family violence and associated factors in a treatment seeking group of problem gamblers

© 2011 Dr. Suzanne CockmanLiterature to date suggests that problem gambling is a risk factor for family and intimate partner violence. Some findings suggest that the relative odds of experiencing intimate partner violence is ten times higher for women whose partners were problem gamblers and that over half of problem gamblers report being victims or perpetrators of intimate partner violence. This study examined the rate of family violence in an Australian treatment seeking problem gambling sample. Participants (n = 141) were problem gamblers presenting to a counseling service for the first time. Problem gamblers who reported experiencing family violence victimisation in the previous twelve months represented 18% of those surveyed and those who reported family violence perpetration in the previous twelve months represented 19% of the sample. Victims of family violence reported that members of their immediate and extended family were the perpetrators of the violence against them. In contrast, perpetrators of family violence reported that the victims of their aggression were all members of their immediate family. Such variation in the reported familial relationships involved in family violence emphasises the need for research on family conflict to extend beyond intimate partner violence and child abuse to an exploration of wider family violence. Demographic factors, gambling behaviour characteristics, and psychological factors were measured. The main outcome measures used were the PGSI problem gambling severity index, Gambling Motivations Questionnaire (GMQ), Kessler – 6 (K6), Primary Care – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Screen (PC-PTSD), Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self Report Scale (ASRS). Further distinctions were found between victims of family violence and perpetrators, through the examination of possible comorbid factors in three distinct areas: demographic factors, gambling behaviour characteristics, and psychological factors. No demographic factors were found to be associated with family violence. However, participants who reported family violence victimisation also reported higher rates of PGSI problem gambling severity, GMQ coping motives, gambling related impending legal matters, K6 psychological distress, PC – PTSD post traumatic stress disorder, and ASRS attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than participants who did not report family violence victimisation. Participants who reported family violence perpetration also reported higher rates of PGSI problem gambling severity, GMQ social motives, gambling related impending legal matters, and BIS impulsivity. These findings highlight the need for a brief screening tool that can be used in clinical settings with those experiencing family violence, problem gambling or related psychological distress to detect problem gambling severity, family violence issues and the potential existence of comorbid psychological problems