Coping, Civilian Transition, and Gambling Harm Severity in UK Armed Forces Veterans

TL;DR

This study explores how coping strategies and civilian reintegration affect gambling harm severity in UK veterans, highlighting the need for integrated mental health support.

Contribution

The study identifies specific psychosocial factors, such as maladaptive coping and employment difficulties, that predict gambling harm in veterans.

Findings

3.1% of veterans who gambled in the past year showed signs of problem gambling.

Maladaptive coping and difficulty adapting to civilian employment were linked to higher gambling harm severity.

Informational support was found to be protective against gambling harm.

Abstract

Veterans are prone to experiencing both mental health challenges and harm from gambling, yet little is known about the psychosocial factors that may increase risk. This study examined predictors of gambling harm severity in a sample of UK Armed Forces veterans with a focus on coping styles and reintegration into civilian employment. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 414 former personnel using validated measures of gambling behavior, coping, and mental health symptoms including alcohol use. Of the 226 (54.6%) who had gambled in the past year, 3.1% had scores suggestive of problem gambling. Results showed that 46% of participants exhibited symptoms suggestive of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while 8.4% reported severe anxiety, 10.2% severe depression, and 11.1% high-risk alcohol use. Gambling harm severity was positively predicted by difficulties adapting to civilian employment and maladaptive coping strategies such as self-blame and substance use, while use of informational support was found to be protective. Given higher rates of primary care engagement among veterans, routine screening for gambling-related harm in such settings may improve early detection and intervention. The findings underscore the need for integrated mental health services that consider both psychological and social determinants of gambling harm severity in veterans during the military-to-civilian transition.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10899-025-10451-6.