gambling harm is everyone's business

Question 1

Socioecological model

Answer 1

Wheaton et al., 2024

1. Socioecological Model (Left Side)
   The model categorizes different levels of influence on gambling behavior:

Individual Level – Personal factors such as psychological traits, cognitive biases, and behavioral tendencies.
Families and Social Networks – The role of close relationships in influencing gambling behavior (e.g., peer pressure, family support).
Community Level – Includes both targeted approaches (specific interventions for high-risk groups) and untargeted approaches (broader public awareness campaigns).
Societal Level – Larger structural influences like cultural attitudes, policies, and regulations surrounding gambling.

2. Public Health Strategies (Middle Section)
   Three main strategies are used to mitigate gambling harms:

Education & Awareness – Campaigns and programs aimed at informing the public about the risks of gambling.
Screening, Measurement & Intervention – Identifying problem gambling behaviors early and providing treatment or support.
Environment & Product Regulation – Policies that control gambling availability, advertising, and industry practices to reduce harm.

3. Gambling-Related Harms (Center)
   Gambling can negatively impact resources (financial stability), relationships (social connections), and health (mental and physical well-being). The degree and timescale of these harms vary based on individual and societal factors.
4. Public Health Goals (Right Side)
   Three overarching public health goals guide the intervention strategies:
   Prevention – Reducing the risk of gambling problems before they develop.
   Regulation – Implementing policies to control gambling accessibility and industry practices.
   Support – Providing assistance and recovery programs for affected individuals.
   Overall Message
   This model emphasizes that gambling-related harm is influenced by multiple levels of society and requires a comprehensive public health approach that combines education, intervention, regulation, and support.

Question 2

critical evaluation for this model-

Answer 2

Lack of Emphasis on Individual Agency – While the model highlights structural and societal influences, it downplays personal responsibility and self-regulation, which are key aspects of addiction recovery.

Potential Overreach of Public Health Goals – Some may argue that too much regulation (such as restricting gambling access) could infringe on personal freedoms and the economic benefits of the gambling industry.

also gambling is more complex than this- each individual needs to be looked at individually

Question 3

why is it everyone’s problem

Answer 3

discuss power of advertisement✔🐱‍👤

Games/ accessibility! despite it being known and talked about more

some regulation-Online harm minimisation strategies using technology and AI (Bjørseth
et al., 2021; Harris & Griffiths, 2017)
Examples:
* Mandatory play breaks
* Limit setting
* Messaging (static vs dynamic)
* Pop-up messaging
* Personalized messaging
* Temporary self-exclusions
* Behavioural tracking tools

why not to blame individual- can worsen treatment outcomes when blame is placed on themsleves. Often dissociating from a disorder from there self to the fcat that this is a disease can seperate themselves and improve treatment outcomes (Quigley et al., 2022)

Research indicates that internalized stigma and self-blame among individuals with gambling disorder contribute to problem concealment, decreased treatment-seeking, and diminished self-esteem. Emphasizing the biopsychosocial etiology of gambling disorder may help prevent and reduce the blame and stigmatization of affected individuals

Question 4

Why it may not be everyone’s fault

Answer 4

Personal Autonomy & Responsibility – Many people gamble recreationally without developing an addiction or experiencing harm. Holding everyone accountable for gambling regulation or prevention undermines personal choice and responsibility.

Selective Impact – Gambling-related harm primarily affects specific individuals (e.g., those with predispositions to addiction, financial vulnerability, or mental health issues) rather than the general population. Public resources should be targeted at those at risk rather than broad societal control.

Economic & Cultural Variation – Gambling is a legitimate industry that provides entertainment and economic benefits (e.g., tourism, taxation). Universal intervention could harm businesses and individuals who engage in responsible gambling.

Limits of Public Health Responsibility – While governments regulate harmful substances (e.g., alcohol, tobacco), personal choices still play a role. Not every social issue requires a collective responsibility or intervention from those not directly affected.

Question 5

SO

Answer 5

taking a biopsychosocial approach is better:

Recognizing gambling disorder as a biopsychosocial condition rather than a personal failing reduces self-blame, which can improve treatment engagement.

Effective treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and pharmacotherapy, address the various biological, psychological, and social components of the disorder (Yakovenko & Hodgins, 2016).

Public health approaches (e.g., responsible gambling measures, education, and policy interventions) can help reduce risk factors at a societal level.