The Impact of Gambling Addiction on Children of Problem Gamblers

Consequently, it is essential to create a supportive environment that addresses these challenges and fosters resilience. Despite these challenges, it is important to recognize the resilience and strength that children can exhibit in the face of adversity. With the right support and intervention, children can overcome the negative impacts of parental gambling addiction and develop into well-adjusted individuals.

For our analysis the more conservative threshold of ≥ 5 points 24, 25 was applied, with additional subdivision of sub-threshold gambling pattern into “no problems” (0 points) and “minor problems” (1 to 4 points). A cross-tabulation of categorizations of participants using DSM-5 versus PGSI-5 is provided (see Supplementary Table 2, Additional File 2). Another effective strategy is to educate children about gambling addiction in an age-appropriate manner. Understanding the nature of addiction can demystify the behavior of the addicted family member and reduce feelings of fear or resentment. It is important to convey that addiction is a disease, not a choice, and that help is available.

Lower bound of CC estimate

Finally, we calculated our estimates using the GD criteria of the DSM-5, which capture mild forms of GD more precisely than the PGSI 2, 54. Thus, this conservative approach may be preferable from a public health perspective to fully capture the potential target population for early intervention policies. An Australian study indicated that number of children affected by parental at risk gambling exceeds the number of children of parents with GD 11.

• Living in a family where someone has a gambling problem can be distressing and overwhelming, and we know that children with gambling parents are at risk of harm, financial distress, behavioural issues and physical health problems.
• The analyses presented were conducted within the scope of the Bavarian Coordination Centre for Gambling Issues (Bayerische Landesstelle Gluecksspielsucht (LSG)).
• Using population-representative German survey data from 2023 we estimated that between 570,000 and 605,000 Germany-residing minor children have parents with GD.
• Grave psychological impacts of parental problem gambling include suicidality, anxiety and depression.

At a service delivery level, interagency collaboration and better service coordination can offer families the support they need. Problem gambling harms parents themselves – leading to depression, anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and intimate partner violence. And some parents respond to stress-related to gambling losses with short tempers and aggression.

How many children have parents with gambling disorder – a Germany-based estimate

As young parental age 26, parental alcohol misuse 27, parental mental health issues 28, and single parentship 29 are known risk factors regarding children’s wellbeing, we mirrored these coincidental risk factors. Presence of risky parental alcohol consumption (yes/no) was operationalized via the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) 30 using a threshold of ≥ 5 points for men and of ≥ 4 points for women 31, 32. Impaired parental mental health was defined based on the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI) 33, using the categories “impaired” (0–50 points), “below average” (51–74 points), and “good” (75–100 points) 34, 35. To display accumulation of burden we constructed a sum score reflecting presence of GD (1 point), risky alcohol consumption (1 point), and impaired mental health (1 point).

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Due to their parent’s focus on gambling, they may feel neglected, abandoned, or unimportant. It is crucial to provide emotional support and as stated in their announcement counseling for these children, helping them cope and heal. Creating a safe and open environment for communication can also aid in their recovery.

This observation might to some extent be attributable to the fact, that our estimates only target minor children in combination with the observed lower average age of parents with more severe GD. It is highly plausible that the (older) parents with less severe GD levels more likely have already grown-up children who are excluded from our extrapolation. Using population-representative German survey data from 2023 we estimated that between 570,000 and 605,000 Germany-residing minor children have parents with GD.

The statement said the government had also established mandatory ID checks for online bets, banning the use of credit cards for online betting and introducing tag lines for gambling advertisements. Gambling harm included stress, borrowing money, skipping meals or selling things to fund gambling. Jordan Wayne, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.

For example, participants talked about how financial strain from gambling could lead them to spend less on essential items, trigger arguments with family members, and contribute to heightened levels of stress or anxiety. In some cases, relatively infrequent harms were described as having substantial and lasting effects. Recovery from gambling addiction is attainable through the right assistance and support. Various treatment options, such as therapy, counseling, support groups, and self-help programs with HelpGuide, are available to help problem gamblers overcome their addictive gambling behavior.