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Gambling Problems Are Associated with Alcohol Misuse and Insomnia: Results from a Representative National Telephone Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Hannah Briony Thorne

    (School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Adelaide 5034, Australia)

  • Matthew Justus Rockloff

    (School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Adelaide 5034, Australia)

  • Sally Anne Ferguson

    (School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Adelaide 5034, Australia)

  • Grace Elizabeth Vincent

    (School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Adelaide 5034, Australia)

  • Matthew Browne

    (School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Adelaide 5034, Australia)

Abstract

Gambling has significant costs to the community, with a health burden similar in scale to major depression. To reduce its impact, it is necessary to understand factors that may exacerbate harm from gambling. The gambling environment of late-night licensed venues and 24/7 online gambling has the potential to negatively impact sleep and increase alcohol consumption. This study explored gambling, alcohol, and sleep problems to understand whether there is a relationship between these three factors. Telephone interviews were conducted with a representative sample of Australian adults (n = 3760) combined across three waves of the National Social Survey. Participants completed screening measures for at-risk gambling, at-risk alcohol consumption, insomnia (2015 wave only), and sleep quality. There were small but significant positive correlations between problem gambling and alcohol misuse, problem gambling and insomnia, and problem gambling and poor sleep quality. A regression model showed that gambling problems and alcohol misuse were significant independent predictors of insomnia. A separate regression showed gambling problems (and not alcohol misuse) were a significant predictor of poor sleep quality, but only in one survey wave. Findings suggest that gambling, alcohol, and sleep problems are related within persons. Further research should examine the mechanisms through which this relationship exists.

Suggested Citation

  • Hannah Briony Thorne & Matthew Justus Rockloff & Sally Anne Ferguson & Grace Elizabeth Vincent & Matthew Browne, 2021. "Gambling Problems Are Associated with Alcohol Misuse and Insomnia: Results from a Representative National Telephone Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:6683-:d:579423
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Deans, Emily G. & Thomas, Samantha L. & Daube, Mike & Derevensky, Jeffrey, 2016. "“I can sit on the beach and punt through my mobile phone”: The influence of physical and online environments on the gambling risk behaviours of young men," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 110-119.
    2. Stina Oftedal & Corneel Vandelanotte & Mitch J. Duncan, 2019. "Patterns of Diet, Physical Activity, Sitting and Sleep Are Associated with Socio-Demographic, Behavioural, and Health-Risk Indicators in Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-14, July.
    3. N. Will Shead & David C. Hodgins & Dave Scharf, 2008. "Differences between Poker Players and Non-Poker-Playing Gamblers," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(2), pages 167-178, April.
    4. Dylan Pickering & Alex Blaszczynski, 2021. "Paid online convenience samples in gambling studies: questionable data quality," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(3), pages 516-536, September.
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