1,720,974 research outputs found
The Dynamics of Control: Exploring Sense of Control, Illusion of Control, and Gambling Self-efficacy among Frequent Gamblers
No full textPurpose: This study examines how three types of control - sense of control, illusion of control, and gambling self-efficacy - clarify the relationship between frequent gambling and gambling-related harm. Its objectives are to examine 1) how the three types of control are understood and experienced by the individual, 2) how the types of control link with each other, and 3) how the types of control help explain differences in gambling-related problems. Rationale: Central to this research is the argument that mental health and behavioural addiction theory should be integrated in order to offer a more complete understanding of health and illness. This research bridges the divide by creating and evaluating a new theoretical model. The Dynamics of Control Model incorporates types of control and relationships from the Stress Process Model of mental health and the Integrated Pathways Model of problem gambling. This study focuses on control because it is a central concept in both addiction research and the sociological study of mental health. Methods: Mixed methods are used in this research. Thirty in-depth interviews were conducted with frequent gamblers from Simcoe County, Ontario who play games of skill or chance once a week or more. These data are supplemented with secondary analysis of the 2002 Canadian Community Health Survey, a large nationally representative survey on mental health. Results: Sense of control and gambling self-efficacy help explain the relationship between gambling frequency and problem gambling severity. Frequent gambling is accompanied by little harm when the individual has high sense of control and high gambling self-efficacy. Illusion of control does not play a role in explaining problem gambling severity but is best predicted by type of game. All three types of control are more complex than described in the literature, with internal variations, thresholds of effectiveness, and conceptual limitations. Implications: This study's findings stimulate discussion on low-risk gambling behaviours and the use of categorical diagnoses. The results support future collaborations between mental health and behavioural addictions research, and increased use of the sociological perspective to examine problem gambling. The study concludes by suggesting ways of improving the conceptualization, measurement, and study of control.Ph.D
Sociology and the Problems of Problem Gambling Research: Connectin Private Troubles to Public Issues
No full textThis study addresses the lack of sociological perspectives in theoretical frameworks commonly used in problem gambling research, and demonstrates the connection of often overlooked aspects of the social environment to variables commonly used to predict and explain problem gambling. Using the often studied correlates of problem gambling, namely,, anxiety disorders; mood disorders; and gender, each paper shows how the relationships between those correlates and problem gambling are significantly modified by features of the social environment. Contributions of sociological research to theoretical frameworks for explaining problem gambling are posited as modifications to the Pathways Model to Problem Gambling. Advanced generalized linear modeling is used to explore the interconnections of these relationships in all three studies. The research findings are discussed in relation to the dangers of reducing complex social issues such as the prevalence of problem gambling to a series of individual characteristics found in problem gamblers. Implications of governmental responsibility in gambling provision, the medicalization of abnormal behaviours, and the role of sociological research in identifying patterns of inequality are also explored.Ph.D
Contextualizing Unconventional Beliefs And Ritual Activity: A Case Study Of Moderate Risk And Problem Slot Machine Gamblers
Get PDFThis dissertation examines gambling associated beliefs. To this point, research on these beliefs is found in the field of psychology, but provides little contextual insight to the gambling scenario. The dissertation uses theoretical insights from the field of sociology, and specifically the sociology of beliefs as well as religious and social movements, to examine beliefs through a sociocultural lens. In a bid to gain contextual insight informed by subjective understanding, the research draws on in-depth interviews. In total 43 moderate-risk and problem slot machine gamblers were interviewed along with a comparison group of 10 non-problem gamblers all from Toronto, Ontario. Four key findings emerge from this research. 1) Beliefs about the ability to determine or procure an outcome might be more accurately described as modern superstitions; the comparison group of non-problem gamblers has similar beliefs, thus supporting this suggestion. 2) The casino frames the experience of these particular problem gamblers, providing them with structure, supporting their beliefs, and allowing them to experience and enact strongly held values. 3) Their belief in one day securing a substantial win appears largely indestructible as demonstrated by investigating its structure and validation logics or strategies. 4) Various dissonance management strategies are used to maintain this belief although the success of any one strategy depends on a host of social processes; similar strategies and processes are found among apocalyptic groups awaiting prophetic confirmation. In their entirety, these findings suggest that the beliefs of problem gamblers may not only be viewed as cognitive distortions. An alternative view is that they might also be understood as a problematic belief system that is as “normal” as any other belief system, only that these beliefs are non-rational instead of irrational and thereby resistant to disconfirmatory evidence.Ph.D.2018-02-12 00:00:0
Contextualizing Unconventional Beliefs And Ritual Activity: A Case Study Of Moderate Risk And Problem Slot Machine Gamblers
No full textThis dissertation examines gambling associated beliefs. To this point, research on these beliefs is found in the field of psychology, but provides little contextual insight to the gambling scenario. The dissertation uses theoretical insights from the field of sociology, and specifically the sociology of beliefs as well as religious and social movements, to examine beliefs through a sociocultural lens. In a bid to gain contextual insight informed by subjective understanding, the research draws on in-depth interviews. In total 43 moderate-risk and problem slot machine gamblers were interviewed along with a comparison group of 10 non-problem gamblers all from Toronto, Ontario. Four key findings emerge from this research. 1) Beliefs about the ability to determine or procure an outcome might be more accurately described as modern superstitions; the comparison group of non-problem gamblers has similar beliefs, thus supporting this suggestion. 2) The casino frames the experience of these particular problem gamblers, providing them with structure, supporting their beliefs, and allowing them to experience and enact strongly held values. 3) Their belief in one day securing a substantial win appears largely indestructible as demonstrated by investigating its structure and validation logics or strategies. 4) Various dissonance management strategies are used to maintain this belief although the success of any one strategy depends on a host of social processes; similar strategies and processes are found among apocalyptic groups awaiting prophetic confirmation. In their entirety, these findings suggest that the beliefs of problem gamblers may not only be viewed as cognitive distortions. An alternative view is that they might also be understood as a problematic belief system that is as “normal” as any other belief system, only that these beliefs are non-rational instead of irrational and thereby resistant to disconfirmatory evidence.Ph.D.2018-02-12 00:00:0
Sociology and the Problems of Problem Gambling Research: Connectin Private Troubles to Public Issues
Get PDFThis study addresses the lack of sociological perspectives in theoretical frameworks commonly used in problem gambling research, and demonstrates the connection of often overlooked aspects of the social environment to variables commonly used to predict and explain problem gambling. Using the often studied correlates of problem gambling, namely,, anxiety disorders; mood disorders; and gender, each paper shows how the relationships between those correlates and problem gambling are significantly modified by features of the social environment. Contributions of sociological research to theoretical frameworks for explaining problem gambling are posited as modifications to the Pathways Model to Problem Gambling. Advanced generalized linear modeling is used to explore the interconnections of these relationships in all three studies. The research findings are discussed in relation to the dangers of reducing complex social issues such as the prevalence of problem gambling to a series of individual characteristics found in problem gamblers. Implications of governmental responsibility in gambling provision, the medicalization of abnormal behaviours, and the role of sociological research in identifying patterns of inequality are also explored.Ph.D
The Dynamics of Control: Exploring Sense of Control, Illusion of Control, and Gambling Self-efficacy among Frequent Gamblers
Get PDFPurpose: This study examines how three types of control - sense of control, illusion of control, and gambling self-efficacy - clarify the relationship between frequent gambling and gambling-related harm. Its objectives are to examine 1) how the three types of control are understood and experienced by the individual, 2) how the types of control link with each other, and 3) how the types of control help explain differences in gambling-related problems. Rationale: Central to this research is the argument that mental health and behavioural addiction theory should be integrated in order to offer a more complete understanding of health and illness. This research bridges the divide by creating and evaluating a new theoretical model. The Dynamics of Control Model incorporates types of control and relationships from the Stress Process Model of mental health and the Integrated Pathways Model of problem gambling. This study focuses on control because it is a central concept in both addiction research and the sociological study of mental health. Methods: Mixed methods are used in this research. Thirty in-depth interviews were conducted with frequent gamblers from Simcoe County, Ontario who play games of skill or chance once a week or more. These data are supplemented with secondary analysis of the 2002 Canadian Community Health Survey, a large nationally representative survey on mental health. Results: Sense of control and gambling self-efficacy help explain the relationship between gambling frequency and problem gambling severity. Frequent gambling is accompanied by little harm when the individual has high sense of control and high gambling self-efficacy. Illusion of control does not play a role in explaining problem gambling severity but is best predicted by type of game. All three types of control are more complex than described in the literature, with internal variations, thresholds of effectiveness, and conceptual limitations. Implications: This study's findings stimulate discussion on low-risk gambling behaviours and the use of categorical diagnoses. The results support future collaborations between mental health and behavioural addictions research, and increased use of the sociological perspective to examine problem gambling. The study concludes by suggesting ways of improving the conceptualization, measurement, and study of control.Ph.D
Hareven, Tamara K. and Vinovskis, Maris A., editors. Family and Population in Nineteenth-Century America. Quantitative Studies in History Series. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1978. Pp. xiv, 250
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