Gambling risk and protective factors among community and clinical samples in Singapore

Objectives: Problem Gambling (PG) has been linked to several socio-cognitive risk and protective factors; However, knowledge on their impact on problem gamblers in Asia remains. This study compares gambling risk and protective factors between clinical problem gamblers and community individuals in Singapore. Methods: Data on gambling risk and protective factors, and PG severity were collected from 150 clinical problem gamblers and 150 community individuals through paper surveys. Results: Clinical problem gamblers scored significantly higher in PG severity, gambling-related negative thoughts and urge and psychological distress, and scored significantly lower in gambling refusal self-efficacy, hope, resilience and life satisfaction, than community participants. There were also more significant relationships between risk and protective factors among clinical than community participants. Conclusion: Gambling-related protective factors are relevant to clinical problem gamblers in the Singapore context, which could be further leveraged upon to inform and refine existing PG rehabilitation efforts.