A1 Journal article (refereed)
Psychosocial factors behind addiction : a six-wave longitudinal comparison of at-risk gambling and drinking (2025)


Hautamäki, S., Savolainen, I., Kauppila, E., Sirola, A., & Oksanen, A. (2025). Psychosocial factors behind addiction : a six-wave longitudinal comparison of at-risk gambling and drinking. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 60(1), Article agae089. https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agae089


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsHautamäki, Sari; Savolainen, Iina; Kauppila, Emmi; Sirola, Anu; Oksanen, Atte

Journal or seriesAlcohol and Alcoholism

ISSN0735-0414

eISSN1464-3502

Publication year2025

Publication date06/01/2025

Volume60

Issue number1

Article numberagae089

PublisherOxford University Press

Publication countryUnited Kingdom

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agae089

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessPartially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/99258


Abstract

Aims
Research indicates that shared and specific underlying factors influence different addictions, sometimes resulting in co-occurring problems. The evidence concerning risk and protective factors for gambling and alcohol addiction, along with their co-occurrence, remains ambiguous. To address this gap, this study will conduct longitudinal research to examine the factors associated with at-risk behaviours over time.

Methods
We utilize a sample of 18- to 75-year-old participants (N = 1530) from Finland. Participants were surveyed every six months between 2021 and 2023, covering six rounds of data collection (in total 6650 observations). Measures included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Problem Gambling Severity Index. The analysis used multilevel regression models to investigate risk and protective factors over time.

Results
Based on population-average models, younger age and being a man were associated with all examined dependent variables. Psychological distress, a sense of belonging to family and friends, and belonging to an online community were associated with at-risk gambling. At-risk drinking was associated with education and income, marital status, and the sense of belonging to family and friends. Being in debt enforcement, education, and psychological distress were associated with the co-occurrence of the two addictive behaviours. The fixed effects highlighted the importance of psychological distress in the development of co-occurring gambling and drinking problems.

Conclusion
The findings indicate that partly different sociodemographic and psychosocial factors are important underlying contributors to alcohol and gambling problems. Psychological distress is a particularly crucial factor predicting co-occurring at-risk gambling and drinking, indicating that co-occurrence is accompanied by psychological burden.


Keywordsproblems with alcoholgames of chanceaddictionpsychosocial factorssociodemographic characteristicslongitudinal research

Free keywordsat-risk drinking; at-risk gambling; co-occurring addiction; longitudinal design


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

VIRTA submission year2025

Preliminary JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2025-25-01 at 20:06