Are psychosocial interventions effective in minimising harm caused to ‘affected others’ of problem gambling? A Systematic Review

Abstract

The large proportions of the population engage in gambling worldwide; United Kingdom 54%, Italy 54%, Malta 58%, and Canada 66.2%. The international data suggest that on average 2.1% of all gambling is problematic. The ‘Problem gambling’ is the behaviour that leads to impaired control over financial and/or time invested in gambling, which in turn results in adverse effects on the individual, their family and/or the community. From one problem gambler, at least seven related individuals are negatively impacted. In this review ‘affected others’ is used as an umbrella term for a variety of individuals impacted by someone else’s gambling addiction. The most common form of harm include; material, relationship breakdown, financial, physical and psychological health and the development of unhealthy behaviours. The efficacy of available interventions aimed at supporting affected others has been questioned.