Jason Solowoniuk

Problem Gambling and its Impact on Families: A Literature Review

This paper offers an overview of the existing literature concerning problem gambling and families and identifies gaps in current research knowledge on this topic. Relevant theoretical perspectives are outlined and the role of familial factors in the development of problem gambling is discussed. This is followed by a focused review of the effects of problem gambling on family members, specifically the spouse, children and parents. Available treatments and therapies for family members are also reviewed. The paper concludes by identifying the limitations of existing knowledge and some directions for future research on this topic.

Female Gambling, Trauma, and the Not Good Enough Self: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

A gap exists within current literature regarding understanding the role that trauma may play in the initiation, development, and progression of female problem and pathological gambling. The purpose of this study is to further illustrate the relationship between trauma and the development problem and pathological gambling by investigating the lived experiences of six women who self-report having a history of trauma and problem with gambling. An interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology was applied in the research process in which six women share their life journey through the progression of their gambling addiction. Thematic analysis constructed into 5 themes illustrates a link between the role of trauma in the development and perpetuation of problem and pathological gambling, with female participants progressing through a series of experienced stages involving the development of the not good enough self, seduction & intoxication with gambling, opening the doorway to oblivion through gambling, trauma and the ties that bind, and culminating in gambling becoming trauma. Finally the implications of these findings towards the understanding and treatment of problem and pathological gambling by health care practitioners is discussed.

An Insider's Look into the Process of Recovering from Pathological Gambling Disorder: An Existential Phenomenological Inquiry

An existential phenomenological method of study was implemented to better understand the recovery process of 11 pathological gamblers. After analysis, seven recovery themes were generated, which brought to light that recovery from pathological gambling may take place over several years and cycle through successive stages. These stages demonstrate and suggest that recovering from pathological gambling is more cyclical and spiral in nature as opposed to being linear, and is reflective of a continuous, ever evolving process. Specifically, recovering from pathological gambling may take place over several years and cycle through stages of heavy gaming, periods of abstinence, relapse, and re-commitment to recovery, with the recovering gambler gradually moving towards stability through embracing the flow of life and a new identity, and over time finding meaning through extending hope to other troubled gamblers.

The Counterfeit Hero’s Journey of the Pathological Gambler: A Phenomenological Hermeneutics Investigation

This research study sought to interpret and strove toward understanding the lived experience of 13 pathological gambler from an archetypal–mythic perspective. Through a phenomenological hermeneutics inquiry, 11 clusters of themes were illuminated. These themes highlighted a three stage mythical journey that elucidated how gambling began as regular pastime, but ended in failure in regards to becoming extraordinary and financially secure. Thus, resulting in extreme gambling behaviors such as psychological distress, family disintegration, and self-effacement. Clinical implications from this inquiry suggest that understanding pathological gambling from a archetypal–mythical perspective not only encapsulates our current paradiagms of thought about gambling, but may offer a more a holistic approach to understanding the pathological gambler as it sets its theoretical tenets in a cultural, historical, and psychosocial world.

‘I was Independent since I was Born’: Pre-Immigration Traumatic Experiences and Pathological Gambling in Four Chinese Canadians

Trauma and adverse childhood events are found in the pre‐immigration histories of a cohort of four Chinese Canadian pathological gamblers. The nature of their traumatic experiences, consisting of loss and abandonment, neglect and deprivation, physical and emotional abuse, socioeconomic and political oppression, is elucidated and described. The impact of pre‐immigration trauma and its relationship to the development of pathological gambling post‐immigration are discussed. Upon further corroboration of the existence of pre‐immigration trauma among Chinese and Asian immigrants in future studies, training of counsellors to incorporate an in‐depth pre‐immigration history in the assessment and treatment protocol of immigrants manifesting pathological gambling is recommended.

Linking gambling and trauma: a phenomenological hermeneutic case study using Almaas' transformation of narcissism approach

The purpose of this article is to examine the phenomenon of pathological gambling and addiction from the perspective of writer and teacher A.H Almaas. By drawing on his Diamond Mind approach we trace the origin of addictive behaviors and pathological gambling to narcissistic wounding, which constitutes the loss of connection with the Essential Identity. A phenomenological hermeneutic methodology was applied in the research process in which Penny, the subject of this case study, willingly shared her life journey through addiction. A thematic analysis clustered into 5 themes revealed a link between her experiences of childhood trauma, addiction, pathological gambling, and the manifestation of fundamental narcissism.