The Yoke of Care: How Parents and Parents-in-law Experience, Understand and Respond to Adult Children's Gambling Problems

Abstract

Clinical commentaries and research studies have described the effects of problem gambling on families, but they have usually focused on immediate rather than extended family members. To offset this bias, the present study aimed to develop a deeper understanding of the various ways in which parents and parents-in-law experience and understand adult children's gambling problems. Thirteen parents and two parents-in-law volunteered to participate in the study. Their experiences and perspectives were explored through in-depth interviews, emails and telephone discussions. Findings from the study indicate that the repercussions of an adult child's gambling may damage parents and parents-in-law financially, complicate their family relationships and erode their health and wellbeing. Implications for formal service provision are discussed.