Career pathways to problematic gambling : a qualitative study using an autobiographical approach

Abstract

This study unravels the complexity of the trajectories and life world of problematic gamblers through a qualitative and autobiographical approach. This entailed examining the autobiographies of five problematic gamblers published abroad. All the self biographers in question went through the addiction to compulsive gambling during their youth and beyond. The findings that emerged from the data analysed through the application of thematic analysis shed light on the lives of the compulsive gamblers and demonstrate how various factors left an impact and effected their gambling career. The findings reveal how the auto biographers’ went through the stages of winning, losing and desperation (Cluster & Milt, 1985) and how they struggled throughout these stages until they sought help and went through recovery. The findings also demonstrate how all the writers of the books in question adopted different recovery strategies and coping mechanisms to assist them in their recovery and present life while abstaining from gambling. This study concludes with recommendations for further research, youth policy and youth work practice.