Gambling problems and help-seeking in serving United Kingdom military personnel: a qualitative study

Article


Champion, H., Pritchard, A., Dighton, G. and Dymond, S. 2022. Gambling problems and help-seeking in serving United Kingdom military personnel: a qualitative study. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1003457
TypeArticle
TitleGambling problems and help-seeking in serving United Kingdom military personnel: a qualitative study
AuthorsChampion, H., Pritchard, A., Dighton, G. and Dymond, S.
Abstract

Introduction
In military personnel are vulnerable to gambling problems, yet many are reluctant to seek help. The aim of the current study was to explore the lived experience of problem gambling and help-seeking among serving members of the United Kingdom Armed Forces.

Methods
Seventeen individuals from a larger, cross-sectional survey of gambling and wellbeing in the Royal Air Force (RAF) completed semi-structured interviews. Interview questions focused on personal experiences, the context of the RAF and its influence, knowledge and experiences of treatment and support services, and the impact of COVID-19.

Results
Reflexive thematic analysis revealed four themes: (1) harmful and protective occupational factors; (2) socio-cultural and personal influences; (3) organizational attitudes toward mental health and help-seeking, and (4) current support pathways and provision.

Discussion
Findings also indicated that gambling and alcohol use are common within the RAF, and that personnel are actively coping with mental health challenges.

Keywordsinterviews; serving personnel; gambling; alcohol; mental health; COVID-19; help-seeking
Sustainable Development Goals3 Good health and well-being
Middlesex University ThemeHealth & Wellbeing
PublisherFrontiers Media
JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry
ISSN
Electronic1664-0640
Publication dates
Online23 Dec 2022
Print23 Dec 2022
Publication process dates
Submitted26 Jul 2022
Accepted07 Dec 2022
Deposited11 Jan 2024
Output statusPublished
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Copyright Statement

Copyright © 2022 Champion, Pritchard, Dighton and Dymond. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1003457
Web of Science identifierWOS:000908028000001
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