Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Nerilee Hing, Alex M. T. Russell, Andrew Black, Matthew Rockloff, Matthew Browne, Vijay Rawat, Nancy Greer, Matthew Stevens, Nicki A. Dowling, Stephanie Merkouris, Daniel L. King, Anne H. Salonen, Helen Breen, Linda Woo
Summary: This study compared different types of gamblers in Australia, including land-based-only gamblers, online-only gamblers, and mixed-mode gamblers. The results showed that mixed-mode gamblers had the highest gambling involvement, gambling problems, and gambling-related harm. Risk factors for problematic gambling included engaging in more gambling forms, being male, single, less educated, indigenous, and speaking a non-English language. Internet gambling was associated with higher problem gambling severity compared to land-based-only gambling.
COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Belle Gavriel-Fried, Paul Delfabbro, Neven Ricijas, Dora Dodig Hundric, Jeffrey L. Derevensky
Summary: This study examined the role of perceived gambling accessibility in gambling behaviors and problem gambling in four different countries. The results showed that gambling behaviors and problems were more prevalent and gambling was perceived to be more accessible in liberalized markets compared to more conservative countries. Social accessibility was higher in those who gambled and associated with higher risk gambling, especially for women.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hannah Pitt, Samantha L. Thomas, Joanne Watson, Russell Shuttleworth, Kevin Murfitt, Susan Balandin
Summary: The study found that people with intellectual disabilities engage in gambling in a similar way to the general community, with some individuals taking personal responsibility measures to reduce risks. Therefore, it is important to understand different pathways and ensure protection for this population sub-group.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Substance Abuse
Alejandro Diaz, Levi Perez
Summary: By using data from a prevalence study of gambling users in Spain, this paper found that increased participation in online gambling significantly increased the odds of experiencing a gambling disorder.
JOURNAL OF GAMBLING STUDIES
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Mariano Choliz, Marta Marcos, Juan Lazaro-Mateo
Summary: Gambling has been recognized as a public health concern since the 1990s, with the rise of new forms of online gambling facilitated by information technologies. Online gambling has been legalized in countries like Spain, leading to higher than expected prevalence of gambling disorder, especially in the online gambling sector.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Philip W. S. Newall, Alex M. T. Russell, Steve Sharman, Lukasz Walasek
Summary: The research indicates that adult problem gamblers are more likely to recall using legal youth gambling products during their adolescence. The study found that UK gamblers were more likely to have used gambling products in their youth compared to non-gamblers.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Matthew Browne, Paul Delfabbro, Hannah B. Thorne, Catherine Tulloch, Matthew J. Rockloff, Nerilee Hing, Nicki A. Dowling, Matthew Stevens
Summary: This study summarizes the relative risk of different forms of gambling and assesses the relative contribution of each form to the total burden of gambling problems. It highlights the importance of electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and the need for stronger regulation.
JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL ADDICTIONS
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
N. E. R. I. L. E. E. HING, A. L. E. X. M. T. RUSSELL, M. A. T. T. H. E. W. BROWNE, M. A. T. T. H. E. W. ROCKLOFF, C. A. T. H. E. R. I. N. E. TULLOCH, V. I. J. A. Y. RAWAT, N. A. N. C. Y. GREER, N. I. C. K. I. A. DOWLING, S. T. E. P. H. A. N. I. E. S. MERKOURIS, D. A. N. I. E. L. L. KING, M. A. T. T. H. E. W. STEVENS, A. N. N. E. H. SALONEN, H. E. L. E. N. BREEN, L. I. N. D. A. WOO
Summary: This study provides the first national prevalence estimates of concerned significant others (CSOs) harmed by gambling in Australia. The findings indicate that emotional harm is the most commonly reported type of harm experienced by CSOs, and former partners report the most harm. Female CSOs are more likely to report more harm and being harmed by a partner or other family member, while male CSOs are harmed by non-family members.
JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL ADDICTIONS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
P. Sturgis, J. Kuha
Summary: Recent general population surveys in Great Britain have provided highly variable estimates of problem gambling, ranging from 0.4% to 2.7% of adults. Differences in sampling and measurement methods between surveys contribute to this variability, with online surveys tending to produce higher estimates compared to in-person interviews.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Aino Suomi, Nicole Watson, Peter Butterworth
Summary: This study used data from a nationally representative survey in Australia to estimate for the first time the proportions of problem, moderate, and low-risk gamblers among parents, and to report the number of children under 15 years of age exposed to parental gambling. The results showed that 13.7% of Australian families with dependent children were currently exposed to some level of gambling risk, and nearly 4% of families with children were exposed to moderate or problem gambling. This corresponds to almost 200,000 children each year.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hannah Pitt, Samantha L. Thomas, Melanie Randle, Sean Cowlishaw, Grace Arnot, Sylvia Kairouz, Mike Daube
Summary: This study involved qualitative interviews with 54 young people in Australia, aged 11-17, and identified five strategies proposed by young people to counter the normalisation of gambling, including reducing accessibility of gambling products, changing gambling infrastructure, untangling the relationship between gambling and sport, imposing restrictions on advertising, and adjusting commercial messages about gambling.
Article
Substance Abuse
Kalle Lind, Virve Marionneau, Johanna Jarvinen-Tassopoulos, Anne H. Salonen
Summary: The study found that males, individuals aged 18-54, and high-income earners were more likely to engage in online gambling. Online gamblers tend to gamble at least monthly and have the highest gambling spending. On the other hand, multimode gamblers are typically younger, have higher incomes, participate in at least four types of gambling, spend the most money on gambling, and gamble in at least three gambling settings.
JOURNAL OF GAMBLING STUDIES
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Christopher J. Greenwood, George J. Youssef, Stephanie S. Merkouris, Nicki A. Dowling
Summary: Through systematic comparison of different methods for examining gambling risk-curves in Tasmania, it was found that the risk of gambling-related harm does not follow a J-shaped curve, but increases with even small increases in gambling consumption.
Article
Substance Abuse
Nolan B. Gooding, Robert J. Williams
Summary: Gambling-related harm requires regulation and prevention efforts. The extent of gambling involvement is a stronger predictor of gambling problems, but certain types of gambling, such as electronic gambling machines, casino table games, and online gambling, do pose additional risks.
JOURNAL OF GAMBLING STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Afsaneh Mohammadnejad, Mette Soerensen, Jonas Mengel-From, Marianne Nygaard, Maria Timofeeva, Liang He, Signe Bedsted Clemmensen, Ulrich Halekoh, Rikke Hedegaard Dahlrot, Qihua Tan, Jacob V. B. Hjelmborg
Summary: By performing a genome-wide association study on gene expression data from Danish twin pairs, 243 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with expression of the MGMT gene were identified, including 7 novel cis-eQTLs and 11 suggestive trans-eQTLs. These variations may regulate the function of the MGMT gene and the patient's sensitivity to therapeutic alkylating agents.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Alexander Blaszczynski, Howard J. Shaffer, Robert Ladouceur, Peter Collins
Summary: Despite a lack of clear definition, the concept of responsible gambling is widely used but debated among various stakeholders. This report argues that stakeholders should define responsible gambling as an outcome, with governments, regulators, industry, communities, and individuals each having specific responsibilities. Governments establish legal gambling environments, regulators ensure compliance, industries adhere to regulations, communities advocate for public policy and public health, and individuals make decisions. Clarifying accountability for specific activities allows stakeholders to target strategic groups for responsible gambling outcomes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Lia Nower, Alex Blaszczynski, Wen Li Anthony
Summary: This study empirically validated the pathways model of problem gambling and identified three distinct classes of problem gamblers based on their risk factors and motivations for gambling. Each class showed different levels of risk factors and coping mechanisms, highlighting the heterogeneity of problem gambling behavior.
Article
Substance Abuse
Sarah A. Okey, Saul A. Castro, Jack T. Waddell, Connor B. Jones, Austin J. Blake, Holly P. O'Rourke, Mary C. Davis, Madeline H. Meier
Summary: The study found that recreational cannabis legalization is associated with a decrease in enrollment in medical cannabis programs, particularly for males.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Genevieve F. Dash, Nicholas G. Martin, Wendy S. Slutske
Summary: Certain personality traits may increase the risk of using specific illicit drugs. The commonly identified associations between high neuroticism, low agreeableness, and low conscientiousness with drug use may be due to familial influences rather than personality itself. This insight can help predict the risk of illicit drug use more accurately and inform targeted prevention efforts.
PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
William E. Pelham, William R. Corbin, Madeline H. Meier
Summary: The Loeber Risk Score (LRS) is a tool developed to predict the risk of early-onset cannabis use in adolescence. This study externally validated the LRS in a diverse cohort of children and adolescents across the U.S. The results suggest that the LRS has moderate accuracy in predicting certain age-specific cannabis and cigarette use outcomes.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Madeline H. Meier, Avshalom Caspi, Annchen R. Knodt, Wayne Hall, Antony Ambler, HonaLee Harrington, Sean Hogan, Renate M. Houts, Richie Poulton, Sandhya Ramrakha, Ahmad R. Hariri, Terrie E. Moffitt
Summary: Long-term cannabis use is associated with cognitive deficits and smaller hippocampal volume in midlife, which may increase the risk of dementia.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Christal N. Davis, Ian R. Gizer, Michael T. Lynskey, Dixie J. Statham, Andrew C. Heath, Nicholas G. Martin, Wendy S. Slutske
Summary: In Australia, adolescent substance use is associated with high school noncompletion, but this relationship may be influenced by confounding factors such as parental education, childhood conduct disorder symptoms, and use of other substances.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Christal N. Davis, Ian R. Gizer, Lucia Colodro-Conde, Dixie J. Statham, Nicholas G. Martin, Wendy S. Slutske
Summary: The study found a positive gene-environment correlation between educational attainment and adolescent alcohol use, suggesting a complex relationship between the two that may be due to common genetic factors.
TWIN RESEARCH AND HUMAN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
V. Kartik Chundru, Riccardo E. Marioni, James G. D. Prendergast, Tian Lin, Allan J. Beveridge, Nicholas G. Martin, Grant W. Montgomery, David A. Hume, Ian J. Deary, Peter M. Visscher, Naomi R. Wray, Allan F. McRae
Summary: Testing the effect of rare variants on phenotypic variation is challenging due to the need for large cohorts. This study investigates the effect of rare genetic variants on DNA methylation (DNAm) and demonstrates their role in phenotypic variation. The study also shows that extreme levels of DNAm have functional consequences on gene expression.
HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Tessa A. Mulder, Purdey J. Campbell, Peter N. Taylor, Robin P. Peeters, Scott G. Wilson, Marco Medici, Colin Dayan, Vincent V. W. Jaddoe, John P. Walsh, Nicholas G. Martin, Henning Tiemeier, Tim I. M. Korevaar
Summary: This study found that the effects of many known thyroid function-related genes are already apparent in childhood, and some genes have a greater impact on children compared to adults. These findings provide new insights into the genetic regulation of thyroid function in early life.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lina M. Gomez, Brittany L. Mitchell, Kerrie McAloney, Jessica Adsett, Natalie Garden, Madeline Wood, Santiago Diaz-Torres, Luis M. Garcia-Marin, Michael Breakspear, Nicholas G. Martin, Michelle K. Lupton
Summary: The recruitment of participants for research studies may be biased. The Prospective Imaging Study of Ageing (PISA) aims to understand the traits and course of healthy adults at high risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the future. The genetic data of successfully and unsuccessfully recruited participants from existing cohort studies were analyzed to investigate the genetic contribution to voluntary recruitment and genetic predisposition to AD. While no significant association was found between the genetic risk for AD and study participation, significant associations were observed with key causal risk factors for AD, such as IQ, household income, and years of education. Older age and female gender were also found to be factors influencing study participation. The findings underscore the importance of considering bias in key risk factors for AD when recruiting individuals for cohort studies.
TWIN RESEARCH AND HUMAN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Madeline H. Meier, Avshalom Caspi, Antony Ambler, Ahmad R. Hariri, HonaLee Harrington, Sean Hogan, Renate Houts, Annchen R. Knodt, Sandhya Ramrakha, Leah S. Richmond-Rakerd, Richie Poulton, Terrie E. Moffitt
Summary: Long-term cannabis users show accelerated biological ageing in midlife and are less equipped for the demands of old age. The association between cannabis use and poor health and financial preparedness can be explained by their tendency toward polysubstance dependence.
LANCET HEALTHY LONGEVITY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
David L. Duffy, Nicholas G. Martin
Summary: This study traced multiple pedigree lines and found that dizygotic twinning has a hereditary component. The estimations of heritability, although slightly diluted due to lack of zygosity information, are consistent across time and ethnicities, and in line with previous twin and family studies.
TWIN RESEARCH AND HUMAN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
S. Berberian, M. L. Broussard, C. Tully, V. Methuku, D. A. Pardini, M. H. Meier
Summary: The legalization of cannabis has led to a wide range of cannabis products, and participants vary in their familiarity with these product terms. Unfamiliarity with certain terms may result in under-reporting of cannabis use. Furthermore, young adults differ in their perception of what constitutes marijuana. This highlights the need for standardized surveys and the inclusion of pictures of cannabis products to account for variations in familiarity with product terms.
JOURNAL OF CANNABIS RESEARCH
(2022)