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Problem Gambling Messages on College Counseling Center Websites: An Over-Time and Cross-Country Comparison

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Abstract

Gambling problems remain more prevalent among college students than any other adult population. Among the different informational services available to students struggling with this issue, the convenience, anonymity, and accessibility of the college counseling center website (CCW) make this a particularly appealing resource. This updated assessment explored the nature and frequency of problem gambling messages on U.S. CCWs. and assessed whether differences existed between U.S. and U.K. sites. Results showed that problem gambling remains disproportionately underrepresented on U.S. CCWs compared to other mental health concerns. Furthermore, in only one instance—links to pamphlets—did findings indicate any over-time increase in website communications. Overall, <11 % of U.S. CCWs mentioned anything regarding this topic. When assessing U.K. CCWs, results were relatively consistent with U.S. CCWs. Specifically, while significantly more U.K. sites mentioned anything regarding problem gambling than U.S. CCWs, this was mostly limited to links to self-help groups and issue-specific websites. Given the substantial health, social, and financial consequences linked to problem gambling behaviors, universities must focus on incorporating more information about this issue on CCWs and pursue initiatives to promote this service.

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Notes

  1. While not the goal of this study, from a counseling psychologist/nursing/medical profession perspective it is critical to address services offered. Thus, we conducted a post hoc analysis to determine actual services by emailing both U.S. and U.K. institutions. We asked directors/counselors whether CCWs reflected ‘all’ or ‘only some’ of the services offered by the college counseling center. While the response rate was not great (23 % for U.S. schools, 17 % for U.K. schools), the data we did obtain suggests differences across country. For the U.K., the majority of responses (74 %, n = 14) indicated that the website accurately reflected services offered. In contrast, in the U.S. only 49 % (n = 17) stated that the CCW accurately reflected services, whereas 51 % (n = 18) noted that the CCW only offered information on some of the services offered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Communication and Media, Montclair State University, 117 Morehead Hall, Montclair, NJ, 07043, USA

    Christopher J. McKinley & Yi Luo

  2. Department of Telecommunications, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA

    Paul J. Wright & Ashley Kraus

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  1. Christopher J. McKinley
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  2. Yi Luo
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Correspondence to Christopher J. McKinley.

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McKinley, C.J., Luo, Y., Wright, P.J. et al. Problem Gambling Messages on College Counseling Center Websites: An Over-Time and Cross-Country Comparison. J Gambl Stud 32, 307–325 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-015-9526-1

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