Understanding gambling harm of affected others in couple relationships: The role of the gambling partner’s financially focused self-concept and gambling problems

Session Title

Poster session

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Start Date

27-5-2026 12:00 AM

Abstract

Problem gambling does not occur in isolation; its consequences often extend to romantic partners and close others. However, little is known about how identity-based risk factors shape gambling-related harm within couples. We examined financially focused self-concept—the extent to which individuals tie their self-worth to financial success—and gambling problems as simultaneous predictors of gambling-related harm of affected others using dyadic data from 124 couples in which at least one partner gambled. Couples completed the Financially Focused Self-Concept Scale, the Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen, and the Gambling Harms Scale for Affected Others. Results showed that each partner’s financial focus uniquely and moderately predicted the other partner’s reported harm due to their partner’s gambling (ORs = 2.34 and 3.93; ps < .05). In contrast, gambling problems showed a more specific effect: the gambler dyad member’s gambling problems strongly predicted the other dyad member’s reported harm due to their partner’s gambling (OR = 4.11, p < .05). These findings are the first to directly link gambling-related harm experienced by affected others due to their gambling partner’s financially focused self-concept and gambling problems, underscoring the need to move beyond individual-level models of gambling harm to incorporate relational and identity-based processes.

Author Bios

Dr. Nassim Tabri is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Carleton University whose research examines the antecedents and consequences of health-compromising behaviors, including disordered gambling. He has published widely, received national and international awards, and secured major research funding. His work informs evidence-based responsible gambling practices and harm-reduction strategies.

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May 27th, 12:00 AM

Understanding gambling harm of affected others in couple relationships: The role of the gambling partner’s financially focused self-concept and gambling problems

Problem gambling does not occur in isolation; its consequences often extend to romantic partners and close others. However, little is known about how identity-based risk factors shape gambling-related harm within couples. We examined financially focused self-concept—the extent to which individuals tie their self-worth to financial success—and gambling problems as simultaneous predictors of gambling-related harm of affected others using dyadic data from 124 couples in which at least one partner gambled. Couples completed the Financially Focused Self-Concept Scale, the Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen, and the Gambling Harms Scale for Affected Others. Results showed that each partner’s financial focus uniquely and moderately predicted the other partner’s reported harm due to their partner’s gambling (ORs = 2.34 and 3.93; ps < .05). In contrast, gambling problems showed a more specific effect: the gambler dyad member’s gambling problems strongly predicted the other dyad member’s reported harm due to their partner’s gambling (OR = 4.11, p < .05). These findings are the first to directly link gambling-related harm experienced by affected others due to their gambling partner’s financially focused self-concept and gambling problems, underscoring the need to move beyond individual-level models of gambling harm to incorporate relational and identity-based processes.