Overview

Abstract (English)

Background. Large-scale growth of the gambling industry was most notable in Canada in the 1990s. The expansion of gambling has been identified as an important public health concern. Clinical data has indicated that large proportions of gambling help-seekers in Canada are women. To further our knowledge of women and problem gambling, a conceptual framework was developed for this research using a population health model. Methods. Data used for the analysis were from the nationally representative Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.2 (CCHS 1.2; n = 20,211 women aged 15 years and older; data collected in 2002). The statistical analysis included logistic regression, multinomial regression, and linear regression models. Results. The 12-month prevalence of at-risk gambling and problem gambling among women was 11.01% and 1.35%, respectively. Being aged 40 to 49 years, a household income of less than $50,000, a high school education or less, being never-married, reporting life stress, and using negative coping skills were significantly associated with increased odds of problem gambling among women. Endorsement of higher levels of social support was associated with decreased odds of problem gambling. The types of gambling associated with the highest odds of problem gambling were VLTs outside a casino, VLTs inside a casino, and other casino games. In unadjusted models, problem gambling was associated with a significantly higher probability of lower self-perceived general health, suicidal ideation and attempts, decreased psychological well-being, distress, depression, mania, panic attacks, social phobia, agoraphobia, alcohol dependence, any psychiatric disorder, psychiatric comorbidity, chronic bronchitis, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, help-seeking from a professional, attending a self-help group, and calling a telephone help line. In models adjusting for covariates, only the relationships between problem gambling and distress, panic attacks, agoraphobia, any psychiatric disorder, fibromyalgia, and calling a telephone help line remained statistically significant. Conclusions. Frequent VLT gambling outside and inside casinos is associated with the largest odds of problem gambling, which highlights an area of gambling in Canada that needs to be reassessed if problem gambling is to be prevented or reduced. findings from the current research have important research and policy implications that could inform a whole population approach.

Abstract (French)

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