Date: 28th November 2018
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Room: Arthur Edwards Building, room 1.01
Disordered Gambling: Trends, Patterns, Recognition and Disclosure
Dr. Amanda Roberts, Reader, School of Psychology, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln
Abstract
Gambling is a popular national pastime in the UK. In recent years, gambling has become more accessible, physically and socially through the introduction of the Gambling Act (2005) and online and mobile technologies. This rapid change in the range and accessibility of gambling products has been paralleled by changes in participation and harm at a population level in the UK
Disordered gamblers are high users of NHS services, being twice as likely to consult their General Practitioner (GP), five times as likely to be hospital inpatients, and eight times as likely to have psychological counselling. Despite overrepresentation in health care services, patients are reluctant to disclose when gambling has become problematic. There is limited data regarding disclosure of gambling problems by patients, and awareness of gambling related symptoms and treatment options amongst GPs. To this end, data was collected via an online survey from UK GPs.
Moreover, of those who do disclose and seek treatment, little is known regarding the demographic and behavioural profiles of these individuals, and how these may have changed over time. The Gordon Moody Association (GMA) is the UK’s primary gambling-specific residential treatment facility, combining group and individual treatment programmes, in a community rehabilitation setting. Working with GMA, we sought to analyse the gambling behaviour and demographic profile of over 750 treatment seeking gamblers between 2000 and 2015. Both data sets have provided important information to clinicians, policy-makers and gambling legislators.
Biography
Amanda Roberts is a Reader in the School of Psychology, University of Lincoln. She completed her first degree at University College London (BSc Hons Psychology), before moving to Cardiff University to conduct her PhD in Behavioural Neuroscience. Amanda took up her first permanent full-time post at Kings College London, before moving to Queen Mary University, University of East London and then to Lincoln. Current research interests include risk factors for antisocial and maladaptive behaviour, addiction, violence, and disordered gambling. Additional interests extend across topics that relate to gambling comorbidity, gambling in vulnerable populations, gambling and interpersonal violence, and homelessness.
Session Chair: Dr. Kirstie Soar, School of Psychology
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