Abstract
Little is known about risk factors for problem gambling (PG) within the rapidly growing urban Aboriginal population in North
America. Racial discrimination may be an important risk factor for PG given documented associations between racism and other
forms of addictive behaviour. This study examined associations between racial discrimination and problem gambling among urban
Aboriginal adults, and the extent to which this link was mediated by post traumatic stress. Data were collected via in-person
surveys with a community-based sample of Aboriginal adults living in a mid-sized city in western Canada (N = 381) in 2010. Results indicate more than 80 % of respondents experienced discrimination due to Aboriginal race in the past
year, with the majority reporting high levels of racism in that time period. Past year racial discrimination was a risk factor
for 12-month problem gambling, gambling to escape, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in bootstrapped regression
models adjusted for confounders and other forms of social trauma. Elevated PTSD symptoms among those experiencing high levels
of racism partially explained the association between racism and the use of gambling to escape in statistical models. These
findings are the first to suggest racial discrimination may be an important social determinant of problem gambling for Aboriginal
peoples. Gambling may be a coping response that some Aboriginal adults use to escape the negative emotions associated with
racist experiences. Results support the development of policies to reduce racism directed at Aboriginal peoples in urban areas,
and enhanced services to help Aboriginal peoples cope with racist events.
America. Racial discrimination may be an important risk factor for PG given documented associations between racism and other
forms of addictive behaviour. This study examined associations between racial discrimination and problem gambling among urban
Aboriginal adults, and the extent to which this link was mediated by post traumatic stress. Data were collected via in-person
surveys with a community-based sample of Aboriginal adults living in a mid-sized city in western Canada (N = 381) in 2010. Results indicate more than 80 % of respondents experienced discrimination due to Aboriginal race in the past
year, with the majority reporting high levels of racism in that time period. Past year racial discrimination was a risk factor
for 12-month problem gambling, gambling to escape, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in bootstrapped regression
models adjusted for confounders and other forms of social trauma. Elevated PTSD symptoms among those experiencing high levels
of racism partially explained the association between racism and the use of gambling to escape in statistical models. These
findings are the first to suggest racial discrimination may be an important social determinant of problem gambling for Aboriginal
peoples. Gambling may be a coping response that some Aboriginal adults use to escape the negative emotions associated with
racist experiences. Results support the development of policies to reduce racism directed at Aboriginal peoples in urban areas,
and enhanced services to help Aboriginal peoples cope with racist events.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-23
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-012-9323-z
- Authors
- Cheryl L. Currie, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, M3083 Markin Hall, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
- T. Cameron Wild, School of Public Health, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, University of Alberta, 11405-87 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
- Donald P. Schopflocher, School of Public Health, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, University of Alberta, 11405-87 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
- Lory Laing, School of Public Health, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, University of Alberta, 11405-87 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
- Paul Veugelers, School of Public Health, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, University of Alberta, 11405-87 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
- Brenda Parlee, Faculty of Native Studies, University of Alberta, 2-31 Pembina Hall, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H8, Canada
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350