Abstract
Purpose
People experiencing homelessness are being identified as a potentially vulnerable group in relation to gambling-related harm. The purpose of this paper is to explore the links between gambling-related harm and homelessness.
Design/methodology/approach
A scoping review of the English-language literature was conducted in 2016-17 using a wide range of international sources. Qualitative content analysis was employed to code and identify key themes within the literature.
Findings
Five themes were identified: 1) emerging knowledge about why people experiencing homelessness may participate in gambling; 2) emerging knowledge about the prevalence of gambling within the homeless population; 3) the likelihood that gambling-related harm is under-reported within the homeless population; 4) emerging knowledge about the extent that people experiencing homelessness access gambling support services; and 5) limited awareness about the potential impact of gambling participation among people experiencing homelessness.
Research limitations/implications
Findings from the scoping review suggest that consideration should be given to whether screening for gambling-related harm and problem gambling should be conducted by those working with people experiencing homelessness. Those working with people experiencing homelessness may benefit from advice and training enabling them to identify individual but also wider contexts of gambling-related harm, minimise risks and signpost people to support services. Homelessness organisations should contribute to public health debates about gambling.
Originality/value
The paper reviews research concerning the links between gambling, gambling-related harm and homelessness, which may be relevant to those working with people experiencing homelessness.
People experiencing homelessness are being identified as a potentially vulnerable group in relation to gambling-related harm. The purpose of this paper is to explore the links between gambling-related harm and homelessness.
Design/methodology/approach
A scoping review of the English-language literature was conducted in 2016-17 using a wide range of international sources. Qualitative content analysis was employed to code and identify key themes within the literature.
Findings
Five themes were identified: 1) emerging knowledge about why people experiencing homelessness may participate in gambling; 2) emerging knowledge about the prevalence of gambling within the homeless population; 3) the likelihood that gambling-related harm is under-reported within the homeless population; 4) emerging knowledge about the extent that people experiencing homelessness access gambling support services; and 5) limited awareness about the potential impact of gambling participation among people experiencing homelessness.
Research limitations/implications
Findings from the scoping review suggest that consideration should be given to whether screening for gambling-related harm and problem gambling should be conducted by those working with people experiencing homelessness. Those working with people experiencing homelessness may benefit from advice and training enabling them to identify individual but also wider contexts of gambling-related harm, minimise risks and signpost people to support services. Homelessness organisations should contribute to public health debates about gambling.
Originality/value
The paper reviews research concerning the links between gambling, gambling-related harm and homelessness, which may be relevant to those working with people experiencing homelessness.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 26-39 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Housing, Care and Support |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 17 May 2018 |
Keywords
- gambling-related harm, gambling, scoping review, homeless, homelessness
