The Ministry of Health of New Zealand published the results of a new research aimed at bringing more light on the gambling habits of Pacific children and their mothers. The research, which the Ministry funded, is part of the long-term Pacific Islands Families (PIF) Study and has provided some useful knowledge about the changes in gambling behaviours and risk factors over a prolonged period of time. The research is also aimed at providing a better perspective of the environmental, family and social factors which are associated with gambling.
The PIF study which has been carried out by Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is focused on children in the Pacific region who were born in 2000, as well as on their parents. As mentioned above, the new research has been aimed at investigating gambling participation, problem gambling and gambling-related harm’s extent among the young people in the Pacific region and is aimed at assessing the risk factors associated with gambling participation and spending.
According to data revealed in the research results, 52% of the mothers in the Pacific region which took part in the research had taken part in gambling activities in 2013. According to the data revealed, 2.9% of the mothers who participated in the research experienced moderate harm as a result of gambling, while 0.7% were categorised as gambling addicts. As far as minors are concerned, the findings of the study showed that more than half of the 14-year-old Pacific youth have gambled at least once in their lives. The research also found that one in 27 of the children who participated in the study were classified as problem gamblers.
Mothers’ Gambling Behaviours Influence Those of Their Children
The risk factors which facilitated gambling engagement among the mothers included consumption of alcohol, being victimized by constant verbal aggression, as well as increased levels of deprivation. In addition, the risky gambling behaviour was associated with low engagement New Zealand culture, while at the same time being quite engaged in the Pacific culture.
According to the Director of the PIF Study, Dr El-Shadan Tautolo, the research highlighted the necessity for better support of the mothers in the Pacific region, and especially the ones residing in New Zealand. According to him, some measures were needed to help people keep or make stronger their Pacific culture and at the same time help them become more connected to the culture of New Zealand and local society.
As mentioned above, the long-term study has been aimed at providing useful knowledge about how gambling habits and risk factors changed over time, not to mention the better perspective of the variety of factors related to gambling.
One of the lead authors of the newly-issued report, Dr Maria Bellringer, described the link between the gambling behaviour of different generations as an important finding. She explained that the gambling habits of mothers usually have a major impact on their children’s gambling behaviour. According to her, that is exactly why various campaigns associated with adult education and public health were vital for tackling possible gambling-related harm throughout generations.
- Author
Daniel Williams
