When it comes to gambling research, academics want to know exactly why people gamble. A recent study has shed more light on this issue, as findings have shown that more and more Australian players are gambling to relieve stress. A report in the Courier Mail notes that more Australians are using gambling as a stress relief tactic.
The Australian Psychology Society has found that personal financial issues are a major cause of stress while gambling is one of the top forms of stress relief. 20% of the study’s participants stated that they gamble to relieve stress. This is a significant increase over the 16% of participations who stated that gambling was a stress reliever in 2011.
Lyn Littlefield, executive director of Australian Psychological, has stated that the increase is likely due to the fact that gambling is becoming normalised in Australian society. Advertisements expose young people to gambling from an early age, while older individuals are taught to see gambling as a regular part of everyday life. She also states that the proliferation of gaming machines in low-income areas could be to blame.
"They are disproportionately located in the lower socio-economic areas which is really worrisome because often vulnerable people, particularly financially vulnerable people, live in those areas,” Professor Littlefield says. The research team notes that taking part in addictive activities, such as gambling, drinking, smoking and taking drugs, may not be the best course of action for relieving stress.
These activities tend to cause higher levels of anxiety, distress and depression. Littlefield and her team state that more should be done to discourage addictive behaviour while promoting more productive means of stress relief. According to the study, being with friends and family is the most effective form of stress relief among Australians. Watching television and movies is also a popular method.
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