Gambling in a National U.S. Veteran Population: Prevalence, Socio-demographics, and Psychiatric Comorbidities

Research and Data
Author(s): Elina A. Stefanovics, Marc N. Potenza, and Robert H. Pietrzak
Year Published: 2017

Overview

This study aimed to examine associations between gambling level and clinically relevant measures, including psychiatric disorders and suicidality, in a nationally representative sample of U.S. veterans. Data on 3157 U.S. veterans were analyzed from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study.

Key Data Points:

  • A significant proportion of U.S. veterans engage in gambling activities.
    • 35.1% of U.S. veterans gambling recreationally
    • 2.2% of study participants screened positive for at-risk or problem gambling screening positive for ARPG.
  • In the U.S veteran population, at-risk and problem gambling are associated with greater prevalence of substance use, anxiety, and depressive disorders, as well as with a history of physical trauma or sexual trauma, having sought mental health treatment (particularly from the Veterans Administration), and minority group status.

Resource

Click to Read Abstract

Citation

Stefanovics EA, Potenza MN, Pietrzak RH. Gambling in a national U.S. veteran population: Prevalence, socio-demographics, and psychiatric comorbidities. Journal of Gambling Studies. 2017;33(4):1099-1120. doi:10.1007/s10899-017-9678-2.

Further Reading