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"I want control and I imagine I have it" : experiences of control and loss of control among people with gambling problems in Sweden

Gerle, Ellen LU ; Lundberg, Tove LU orcid ; Hofvander, Björn LU and Håkansson, Anders LU (2025) In International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being 20(1).
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Gambling harm is a widespread phenomenon affecting an increasing number of individuals. Understanding the concept of self-control is central to comprehending the nature of gambling problems.

METHODS: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with ten individuals recruited through peer support associations in Sweden. The data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

RESULTS: Three group themes were identified: (Un)predictability and (Un)safety: The Meanings of Being in or Out of Control, Inside "the Bubble": Navigating (No) Control in and Through Gambling, and A Delicate Act: "Regaining" Control of an Uncontrolled Life. Gambling was described as part of a negative spiral in which... (More)

INTRODUCTION: Gambling harm is a widespread phenomenon affecting an increasing number of individuals. Understanding the concept of self-control is central to comprehending the nature of gambling problems.

METHODS: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with ten individuals recruited through peer support associations in Sweden. The data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

RESULTS: Three group themes were identified: (Un)predictability and (Un)safety: The Meanings of Being in or Out of Control, Inside "the Bubble": Navigating (No) Control in and Through Gambling, and A Delicate Act: "Regaining" Control of an Uncontrolled Life. Gambling was described as part of a negative spiral in which individuals in challenging life situations attempt to create and recreate experiences of control through gambling. The more negative consequences gambling had on everyday life and relationships, the greater the need to retreat into a protective "bubble."

DISCUSSION: Being in and out of control are universal human experiences through which we can better understand the maintenance of severe gambling problems. Between these two experiences, there is also a false sense of control that does not correspond to experiences previously described in the literature.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Humans, Gambling/psychology, Sweden, Male, Female, Adult, Middle Aged, Self-Control/psychology, Qualitative Research, Interviews as Topic, Internal-External Control, gambling, self-control, IPA, Qualitative, Control
in
International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
volume
20
issue
1
article number
2530019
pages
20 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • pmid:40626396
  • scopus:105010104601
ISSN
1748-2631
DOI
10.1080/17482631.2025.2530019
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
cf1108f9-2c3b-4e4e-864d-fa8a1e1e090d
date added to LUP
2025-08-11 08:48:20
date last changed
2025-10-21 10:35:46
@article{cf1108f9-2c3b-4e4e-864d-fa8a1e1e090d,
  abstract     = {{<p>INTRODUCTION: Gambling harm is a widespread phenomenon affecting an increasing number of individuals. Understanding the concept of self-control is central to comprehending the nature of gambling problems.</p><p>METHODS: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with ten individuals recruited through peer support associations in Sweden. The data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.</p><p>RESULTS: Three group themes were identified: (Un)predictability and (Un)safety: The Meanings of Being in or Out of Control, Inside "the Bubble": Navigating (No) Control in and Through Gambling, and A Delicate Act: "Regaining" Control of an Uncontrolled Life. Gambling was described as part of a negative spiral in which individuals in challenging life situations attempt to create and recreate experiences of control through gambling. The more negative consequences gambling had on everyday life and relationships, the greater the need to retreat into a protective "bubble."</p><p>DISCUSSION: Being in and out of control are universal human experiences through which we can better understand the maintenance of severe gambling problems. Between these two experiences, there is also a false sense of control that does not correspond to experiences previously described in the literature.</p>}},
  author       = {{Gerle, Ellen and Lundberg, Tove and Hofvander, Björn and Håkansson, Anders}},
  issn         = {{1748-2631}},
  keywords     = {{Humans; Gambling/psychology; Sweden; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Self-Control/psychology; Qualitative Research; Interviews as Topic; Internal-External Control; gambling; self-control; IPA; Qualitative; Control}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{07}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being}},
  title        = {{"I want control and I imagine I have it" : experiences of control and loss of control among people with gambling problems in Sweden}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2530019}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/17482631.2025.2530019}},
  volume       = {{20}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}