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Gambling in the Landscape of Adversity in Youth: Reflections from Men Who Live with Poverty and Homelessness

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah Hamilton-Wright

    (Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond St., Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada)

  • Julia Woodhall-Melnik

    (Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond St., Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
    Department of Health, Aging, and Society, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON L8S 4M4, Canada)

  • Sara J. T. Guilcher

    (Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond St., Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
    Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College St., Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
    Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada)

  • Andrée Schuler

    (Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond St., Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada)

  • Aklilu Wendaferew

    (Good Shepherd Ministries, 412 Queen St E., Toronto, ON M5A 1T3, Canada)

  • Stephen W. Hwang

    (Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond St., Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada)

  • Flora I. Matheson

    (Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond St., Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
    Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
    Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada)

Abstract

Most of the research on gambling behaviour among youth has been quantitative and focused on measuring prevalence. As a result, little is known about the contextual experiences of youth gambling, particularly among those most vulnerable. In this paper, we explore the previous experiences of youth gambling in a sample of adult men experiencing housing instability and problem gambling. We present findings from a qualitative study on problem gambling and housing instability conducted in Toronto, Canada. Thirty men with histories of problem or pathological gambling and housing instability or homelessness were interviewed. Two thirds of these men reported that they began gambling in youth. Five representative cases were selected and the main themes discussed. We found that gambling began in early life while the men, as youth, were also experiencing adversity (e.g., physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse, neglect, housing instability, homelessness, substance addiction and poverty). Men reported they had access to gambling activity through their family and wider networks of school, community and the streets. Gambling provided a way to gain acceptance, escape from emotional pain, and/or earn money. For these men problematic gambling behaviour that began in youth, continued into adulthood.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Hamilton-Wright & Julia Woodhall-Melnik & Sara J. T. Guilcher & Andrée Schuler & Aklilu Wendaferew & Stephen W. Hwang & Flora I. Matheson, 2016. "Gambling in the Landscape of Adversity in Youth: Reflections from Men Who Live with Poverty and Homelessness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:9:p:854-:d:77154
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anthony, Elizabeth K. & Robbins, Danielle E., 2013. "A latent class analysis of resilient development among early adolescents living in public housing," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 82-90.
    2. Fantuzzo, John & LeBoeuf, Whitney & Brumley, Benjamin & Perlman, Staci, 2013. "A population-based inquiry of homeless episode characteristics and early educational well-being," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 966-972.
    3. John Froonjian & James Garnett, 2013. "Reaching the Hard to Reach: Drawing Lessons From Research and Practice," International Journal of Public Administration, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(12), pages 831-839.
    4. Laurie Dickson & Jeffrey L. Derevensky & Rina Gupta, 2008. "Youth Gambling Problems: Examining Risk and Protective Factors," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(1), pages 25-47, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Charles Mak & Kok Kah Tan & Song Guo, 2018. "ADHD Symptoms in Pathological and Problem Gamblers in Singapore," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-9, June.

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