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The Effect of Pathological Gambling on Families, Marriages, and Children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Martha C. Shaw ,
Kelsie T. Forbush ,
Jessica Schlinder ,
Eugene Rosenman  and
Donald W. Black
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Abstract

Pathological gambling (PG) is widely reported to have negative consequences on marriages, families, and children. Empirical evidence is only now accumulating but when put together with anecdotal information, the extent of these problems is clear. PG contributes to chaos and dysfunction within the family unit, disrupts marriages, leading to high rates of separation and divorce, and is associated with child abuse and neglect. Divorce rates are high, not surprising in light of reports that these marriages are often abusive. Research shows that the families of pathological gamblers are filled with members who gamble excessively, suffer from depressive or anxiety disorders, and misuse alcohol, drugs, or both. Families of persons with PG are also large, a variable independently related to family dysfunction. The authors review the evidence on the impact of PG on families, marriages, and offspring, and make recommendations for future research targeting these problems.

Type
Review Articles
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 12 , Issue 8 , August 2007 , pp. 615 - 622
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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