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Factors influencing

treatment-seeking behavior

in female pathological gamblers

Universität Hohenheim, Gambling Research Center

Andrea Wöhr M.A.

Use of Treatment

“Only 7%–12% of those with a history of DSM-IV pathological gambling had sought either formal treatment or attended meetings of Gamblers Anonymous …”

(Slutske 2006: 300)

2Email: [email protected]

Universität Hohenheim

Forschungsstelle Glücksspiel

Prof. Dr. Tilman Becker

Michael Loeper / pixelio.de

Shame and Fear of Stigmatization

“Stigma and shame have been identified as major barriers to help-seeking for problem gambling“

(Hing et al. 2016b: 32)





Lucie Gerhardt / pixelio.de

Stigmatization of Gamblers

• Addictions attract high level of stigma

→ Individuals are perceived blameworthy for their behavior

→Problem gambling perceived as weakness ofcharacter or lack of self-control

(Hing et al. 2016b: 36-37)





Stigmatization and Gender

Concepts of gender:

• Risky behavior more likely to be tolerated in (young) men

(Hing et al. 2016a: 264)





Daniel Stricker / pixelio.de

Stigmatization and Gender

• Women seen in dependent role:“Because of historically defined gender roles for women as caregivers, nurturers, mothers, partners and homemakers, women risk being judged as irresponsible, unrespectable, incompetent and selfish if they display problem-gambling behaviours…” (Hing et al. 2014: 72-73)





Internalization of Stigmatizing Beliefs

• Self-stigmatization

“…participants described feeling ‘weak’, ‘stupid’, ‘worthless’, ‘bad’, ‘ashamed’ and ‘embarrassed.”

→ Self-esteem

→ Self-efficacy

→ Perceived social worth

→ Health problems

→ Problem is kept secret

(Hing et al. 2014: 73-74, Hing et al. 2016a: 264)





Gambling Motivation

• Gambling as strategy to cope with problems and/or stress

• High stress level

– Multiple disorders/(psychic) comorbidities

– Quality of life (e. g. problematic childhood, traumas)

(Vogelgesang 2011: 117)

“Married female problem gamblers often have poor relationships.”

(Boughton 2003: 5)

→ “…women [feared] that treatment would ’require me to give up all gambling when I don't want to’” (Boughton 2003: 4)





Life Situation





Source: Deutsche Suchthilfestatistik 2014(German statistics of addiction aid)

Persons with main diagnosis pathological gambling (in %)

3,3

34,3

62,4

3,3

33,3

63,5

0 50 100

unknown

living alone

not living alone

females (n=1.344)

males (n=9.654)

8,6

7,7

29,4

30,2

55,7

6,1

5,9

9,2

48,7

59,4

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

other person(s)

other relative(s)

parent(s)

child(ren)

partner

females (n=853)males (n=6.028)

Perception of Treatment Programmes

• Do treatment programmes address andappeal to women and their needs?

→ Sensitive topics (e.g. experience ofviolence) need protected environment

→ Different age group

→ Child care





Factors Influencing Treatment Seeking

• Stigmatization (genderrole)

• Stress (comorbidities, biography, actual livingconditions)

• Appropriateness oftreatment services





Ingrid Ruthke / pixelio.de

List of Sources

Bellringer, M. et al. (2008). Problem gambling - barriers to help seeking behaviour, Final report, 1-188.

Boughton, R. (2003). A feminist slant on counselling the female gambler: Key issues and tasks. Electronic Journal of Gambling Issues 8, 1-23.

Hing, N. et al. (2016a). How does the stigma of problem gambling influence helpseeking, treatment and recovery? a view from the counselling sector, International Gambling Studies, 16:2, 263-280.

Hing, N. et al. (2016b). Perceived stigma and self-stigma of problem gambling: perspectives of people with gambling problems, International Gambling Studies, 16:1, 31-48.

Hing, N. et al. (2014). Stigma and problem gambling: current knowledge and future research directions. International Gambling Studies, 14:1, 64-81.

Holdsworth, L. et al. (2013): All Mixed Up Together: Women's Experiences of Problem Gambling, Comorbidity and Co-occurring Complex Needs. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 11(3), 315-328.

Rodda, S. N. et al. (2014). Improved outcomes following contact with a gambling helpline: the impact of gender on barriers and facilitators. International Gambling Studies, 14:2, 318-329.

Slutske, W. S. (2006). Natural recovery and treatment-seeking in pathological gambling: Results of two U.S. national surveys. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(2), 297-302.

Suurvali, H. et al. (2009). Barriers to Seeking Help for Gambling Problems: A Review of the Empirical Literature. Journal of Gambling Studies 25, 407-424.

Vogelgesang, M. (2011): Gender. In Petry, J. et al., Pathologisches Glücksspielen, Suchtmedizinische Reihe Band 6, 114-121.



