Understanding the Voices of Gambling Vices. Different Perspectives on Origins of Pathological and Problem Gambling

Abstract

This article summarizes the results of a qualitative content analysis of historical literature on gambling problems in different
countries. This article brings attention to a combination of quantitative and different qualitative studies. The study evaluates the
etiological research on pathological and problem gambling, as well as the current state of knowledge regarding the causal pathways of
pathological gambling. Risk factors for and correlates of pathological gambling, including psychosocial, environmental, genetic and
biological ones, are evaluated in terms of commonly accepted criteria for determining the strength of an association. A risk factor is
something that has a possible role in the beginning of a mood, physical or pathological condition, as well as its progress or regress in
another state. Etiological research is complex, and a number of aspects are essential to consider in undertaking it. They include the
accuracy of diagnostic labels, the associations and causal relationships among potential risk factors, the uniqueness of risk factors, and
age and cohort effects. Determining psychosocial and environmental risk factors for pathological and problem gambling is guided by the
following question: is the risk for pathological and problem gambling associated with socio-demographic factors, or it is associated with
the availability of gambling to the gambler? This article argues that to study gambling, psychosocial effects caused by it to individual
gamblers and their families and to measure the costs and benefits of society is necessary to stop to their origin.