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Sense of Coherence and Gambling: Exploring the Relationship Between Sense of Coherence, Gambling Behaviour and Gambling-Related Harm

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Abstract

Understanding why some people experience problems with gambling whilst others are able to restrict gambling to recreational levels is still largely unexplained. One potential explanation is through salutogenesis, which is a health promotion approach of understanding factors which move people towards health rather than disease. An important aspect of salutogenesis is sense of coherence. Individuals with stronger sense of coherence perceive their environment as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful. The present study examined the relationship of individuals’ sense of coherence on their gambling behaviour and experience of gambling related harm. This exploratory study utilised an archival dataset (n = 1236) from an online, cross sectional survey of people who had experienced negative consequences from gambling. In general, a stronger sense of coherence was related to lower problem gambling severity. When gambling behaviour was controlled for, sense of coherence was significantly related to the experience of individual gambling harms. A strong sense of coherence can be seen as a protective factor against problematic gambling behaviour, and subsequent gambling related harms. These findings support the value of both primary and tertiary prevention strategies that strengthen sense of coherence as a harm minimisation strategy. The present study demonstrates the potential value of, and provides clear direction for, considering sense of coherence in order to understand gambling-related issues.

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Acknowledgments

The study utilises data collected as part of a broader study funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Grant VRGF1-13. The authors wish to thank Dr Matthew Browne, Ms Christine Hanley and Mr Vijay Rawat for their role in the acquisition of the dataset.

Funding

This study was funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Grant VRGF1-13.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Human, Health and Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, PO Box 7815, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia

    Erika Langham & Nerilee Hing

  2. Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia

    Alex M. T. Russell & Sally M. Gainsbury

Authors
  1. Erika Langham
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  2. Alex M. T. Russell
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  3. Nerilee Hing
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  4. Sally M. Gainsbury
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erika Langham.

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Conflict of interest

Erika Langham has received funds from the Victorian Responsbile Gambling Foundation, Department of Social Services, and Gambling Research Australia. Alex M. T. Russell has received funds from the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Queensland Justice and Attorney-General, Gambling Research Australia and National Association for Gambling Studies, and has received consultancy funds from Echo Entertainment. Nerilee Hing has received consultancy funds from Echo Entertainment and Sportsbet and an honorarium from Singapore Pools for membership of its International Advisory Committee. In the past 3 years. Sally M. Gainsbury has received research funds from the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Gambling Research Australia, Australian Gambling Research Centre, NSW Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing, National Association for Gambling Studies, Sportsbet, Echo Entertainment and consultancy funds from Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation, KPMG Australia, KPMG Tokyo, Health Outcomes International, UK Responsible Gambling Trust, Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia, GP Consulting, ORC International, Communio, Manitoba Gambling Research Program, Gambling Research Australia and had travel expenses paid by the Ian Potter Travel Foundation, Australian Psychological Society, British Columbia Lottery Corporation and the Responsible Gambling Council.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committees, and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments.

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Langham, E., Russell, A.M.T., Hing, N. et al. Sense of Coherence and Gambling: Exploring the Relationship Between Sense of Coherence, Gambling Behaviour and Gambling-Related Harm. J Gambl Stud 33, 661–684 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9640-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9640-8

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