Title : Analyzing contributing factors of recreational and problem gambling among young people of Hong Kong An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Abstract:
Introduction DSM-V has re-categorized gambling disorder as an addiction rather than impulsive control disorder. Recent research studies found that gambling among youths has been increasing in Hong Kong.
Objectives The current study aims to explore how individuals develop and perceive their gambling behaviours and what particular factors they believed contributing to their gambling behaviours.
Methods This current study employed interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and aimed to explore dynamics of gambling experiences of sixteen adolescents, including 10 frequent recreational gamblers and 6 problem/former problem gamblers (Age: 18 to 24). 10 frequent recreational gamblers were recruited from community and universities. 6 problem/former problem gamblers were recruited from Lutheran Social Service (gambling counseling centre) in Hong Kong.
Findings and Conclusions The IPA produced 4 and 4 super-ordinate themes accounting for the contributing factors of the gambling experiences for the 10 frequent recreational gamblers and the 6 problem/former problem gamblers respectively. The 4 super-ordinate themes for frequent recreational gamblers were boredom relief, social gathering, gambling strategies practicing, and family influence. The 4 super-ordinate themes for problem/former problem gamblers were perceiving gambling as a way to earn money, a way to improve living standard, the downward spiral (early big wins and then chasing loss), and negative family history/conflicts. The findings showed the differences of contributing factors of gambling between recreational gamblers and problem/former problem gamblers. The current findings and implications of the emergent themes may have practical implication for future gambling prevention and intervention.
