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Correlations between gambling and diagnosis of mental health disorders adjusting for health insurance coverage and primary care physician access
Methods: Data are derived from the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a national health survey representative of the state population. Contingency tables and Pearson’s chi-square tests are performed to assess associations between socio-demographic characteristics, mental health disorders (i.e. current depressive symptoms, and lifetime physician diagnosed anxiety or depressive disorder), and gambling behavior (i.e. past-year gambling and gambling-related problems). Logistic regression models are performed to assess associations between gambling behavior and mental health disorders, controlling for selected socio-demographic characteristics, health insurance coverage, and access to primary care services. Statistical analyses are performed with STATA.
Findings: Study findings evidence that gambling behavior is correlated with diagnosis of mental health disorders controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, health insurance coverage, and primary care physician access. Individuals with gambling-related problems are 2.8, 2.6, and 2.3 times more likely to have current depressive symptoms (p<.01) or a lifetime physician diagnosis of anxiety (p<.05) or depressive disorder (p<.05), respectively, compared to those without gambling-related problems.
Implications: Associations exist between gambling behavior and mental health disorders. Primary care physicians may play an integral role recognizing early warning signs of mental distress and screening individuals at risk for gambling related co-occurring conditions.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related researchLearning Objectives:
Assess associations between gambling behavior and diagnosis of mental health disorders, controlling for select socio-demographic characteristics, health insurance coverage, and access to primary care services.
Analyze the role of health insurance coverage and primary care physician access for individuals with gambling behavior and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Discuss public health implications for primary care prevention and treatment for individuals with mental health conditions.
Keyword(s): Mental Health, Mental Health Treatment &Care
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an Associate Professor at the School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts. I have more than fifteen years of experience conducting research in cost-effectiveness of healthcare services and programs including behavioral interventions, assessment of the Medicaid provisions and mental health services evaluation, and the safety of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This study was conducted under my supervision. I collaborated in the study design, analyzed data, and drafted manuscript in preparation.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.