| Abstract [eng] |
The purpose of this study is to describe and structure the subjective gambling experience of problem gamblers. The study included eight participants (6 men and 2 women) who consider themselves to be problem gamblers. Their age ranges from 23 to 38 years (average of 28 years). To achieve this goal, a phenomenological qualitative research strategy was used, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the thematic analysis method. The results of the study revealed 12 common topics in the experience of problem gamblers: financial consequences, self-destructive behavior in the context of gambling, gambling-induced physiological body reactions, gambling-induced behavioral responses, lability of affect in the context of gambling, self-deception, acquisition of money for gambling, involvement in gambling, lies and manipulation directed to others, consequences for relationships, escape from reality and self-image after gambling. The study shows that gambling experience is not linear: all aspects of gambling experience are closely related and interact with each other. |
