Session Title

Session 3-1-A: Problem Gambling and Vulnerable Communities, Part 2

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation

Location

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Start Date

25-5-2023 9:00 AM

End Date

25-5-2023 10:30 AM

Disciplines

Criminology | Criminology and Criminal Justice

Abstract

Prior research identified a host of factors that increase the likelihood that an individual will become a problem gambler, most of which would be identified by criminologists as “strains” under the framework of General Strain Theory (GST). Yet, GST has not been widely used as a possible explanation for why people become problem gamblers. In addition, there has been little examination of how gender interacts with those variables to affect problem gambling. In this research, I display how propositions from GST provide a framework for understanding why people become problem gamblers and whether gender is a moderating factor in this relationship.

Findings demonstrate that non-gambling strains play a role in why people become problem gamblers. More relevant factors include having a non-substance behavioral problem and experiencing strain from a spouse/partner who is a problem gambler. Gender was found to have a strong direct effect on problem gambling (with men more likely to be problem gamblers than women), but few moderating effects were found, with one exception—men were more likely be problem gamblers than women if they experienced strain from their spouse/partner’s gambling behavior. Findings from the current study may help identify and treat problem gamblers.

Keywords

Problem gambling, General Strain Theory, Gender, Non-Gambling Strain

Author Bios

Michelle L. Malkin, JD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at East Carolina University. She received a Bachelor's degree in sociology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a Juris Doctorate degree from Northeastern University School of Law, and her Master's and Doctorate degrees in criminal justice from Michigan State University. Dr. Malkin's research interests include a focus on problem gambling and gambling-motivated crime. In 2018, she received a research fellowship for her research on women and gambling-motivated crime from the Center for Gaming Studies at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her dissertation on the Problem Gambling, General Strain Theory and Gender received the 2022 Dr. Durand Jacobs Dissertation Award from the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Funding Sources

none

Competing Interests

The author has received honorariums as a keynote speaker and workshop trainer to share her personal experience and research, including findings from the project referred to in this abstract, at problem gambling conferences within the U.S. These speaking engagements have no influence on the interpretations/outcomes of the research being presented.

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May 25th, 9:00 AM May 25th, 10:30 AM

Problem Gambling, General-Strain Theory, and Gender

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Prior research identified a host of factors that increase the likelihood that an individual will become a problem gambler, most of which would be identified by criminologists as “strains” under the framework of General Strain Theory (GST). Yet, GST has not been widely used as a possible explanation for why people become problem gamblers. In addition, there has been little examination of how gender interacts with those variables to affect problem gambling. In this research, I display how propositions from GST provide a framework for understanding why people become problem gamblers and whether gender is a moderating factor in this relationship.

Findings demonstrate that non-gambling strains play a role in why people become problem gamblers. More relevant factors include having a non-substance behavioral problem and experiencing strain from a spouse/partner who is a problem gambler. Gender was found to have a strong direct effect on problem gambling (with men more likely to be problem gamblers than women), but few moderating effects were found, with one exception—men were more likely be problem gamblers than women if they experienced strain from their spouse/partner’s gambling behavior. Findings from the current study may help identify and treat problem gamblers.