Affected Other Prevalence and Profiles: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Australian Population-Representative Gambling Study.

Abstract

Gambling-related harm can extend to family members and friends but few population-representative studies have investigated affected other (AO) prevalence estimates and profiles in the general population. Using data from the 5000 adult respondents in the Fourth Social and Economic Impact Study of Gambling in Tasmania, this study aimed to: (1) identify prevalence estimates of AO status and professional help-seeking; (2) establish the socio-demographic and gambling profiles of AOs; (3) extend the growing literature examining negative mental health characteristics experienced by AOs, after accounting for socio-demographic characteristics and other potential sources of harm; and (4) explore the degree to which gender moderates these relationships. Results found that 1 in 20 adults (5.11%, 95% CI: 4.33, 6.01) reported past-year AO status but only 1 in 7 AOs (14.15%, 95% CI: 9.01, 21.52) had ever sought help in relation to another person's gambling (i.e., < 1% of all adults). AOs were significantly more likely than non-AOs to be younger, Australian-born, employed, and living in households with children. They were significantly more likely than non-AOs to report depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, binge drinking, tobacco use, and drug use, even after controlling for socio-demographics and other potential sources of harm. Finally, they were more likely to report their own gambling participation, problems, and harm but only 2.20% (95% CI: 0.69, 6.78) had ever sought help for their own gambling. These findings suggest that a considerable proportion of AOs in the general population may benefit from support to improve their own mental health and address their own gambling harm.