Gambling problems and associated harms in United Kingdom Royal Air Force personnel

Article


Pritchard, A. and Dymond, S. 2022. Gambling problems and associated harms in United Kingdom Royal Air Force personnel. Addictive Behaviors. 126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107200
TypeArticle
TitleGambling problems and associated harms in United Kingdom Royal Air Force personnel
AuthorsPritchard, A. and Dymond, S.
Abstract

International evidence indicates that currently serving and former military personnel may be at heightened vulnerability to problem gambling. The aim of the present study was to undertake the first survey of gambling experience and potential problems among serving United Kingdom Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel. Our objectives were to survey the frequency of gambling problems, types of gambling activities, examine mental health, alcohol use, and COVID-19-related associations with gambling, and identify potential risk factors for problem gambling among RAF personnel. A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to all serving RAF personnel in January 2021 and the final dataset consisted of n = 2119 responses. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) identified gambling severity, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) assessed depression, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder assessment (GAD-7) measured anxiety, and alcohol use was assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Questions relating to COVID-19 asked whether the pandemic had impacted one’s gambling, mental health, and alcohol use. Findings indicated that 12.5% of personnel reported gambling problems, which included 8.0% with PGSI scores indicating low-risk gambling (1–2), 2.9% with moderate-risk gambling scores (3–4), and 1.6% with scores indicating problem gambling (≥8). Most personnel had no symptoms of depression or anxiety, and most experienced lower risk drinking levels. The likelihood of any gambling problem (PGSI ≥ 1) in RAF personnel was associated with age (18–24 years old), male gender, and Non-Commissioned ranks. Most participants reported a deterioration in their mental health due to COVID-19 and increased risky gambling. These findings indicate that gambling problems and associated harms are significant concerns for serving RAF personnel.

KeywordsGambling; Military; Mental health; Alcohol use; Royal Air Force
Sustainable Development Goals3 Good health and well-being
Middlesex University ThemeHealth & Wellbeing
PublisherElsevier
JournalAddictive Behaviors
ISSN0306-4603
Electronic1873-6327
Publication dates
Online25 Nov 2021
PrintMar 2022
Publication process dates
Submitted09 Aug 2021
Accepted22 Nov 2021
Submitted01 Nov 2021
Deposited20 Jun 2024
Output statusPublished
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Copyright Statement

© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107200
Web of Science identifierWOS:000822561500019
Related Output
Is supplemented byhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460321003853?via%3Dihub#s0075
LanguageEnglish
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License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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