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Lived experiences of affected others: Qualitative research

Lived experiences of affected others: Qualitative research

Published
25 June 2026

Last updated
25 June 2026 - Changes

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  1. Contents
  2. Approach and methods
  3. Ethics and safeguarding

Ethics and safeguarding

This research was conducted in accordance with the Gambling Commission’s Research Governance Framework, which sets out the principles and standards for ethical, rigorous, and transparent research. Given that the study involved human participants on a sensitive topic, it underwent full ethical approval prior to fieldwork commencing. The following sections describe how the key principles of the framework – including informed consent, safeguarding, and participant confidentiality – were applied throughout the research.

The research intentionally did not include participants with very recent or acute experiences of severe harm, specifically those who had been exposed to suicide or suicidality, domestic violence or abuse, or criminal proceedings related to gambling behaviour within the past 12 months. This decision was made in close consultation with the Commission and Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP), reflecting the heightened safeguarding risks of involving participants who may not be sufficiently removed from acute distress to participate meaningfully and safely.

Participants with experience of severe adverse consequences were only included where they had already received some form of support, providing a degree of distance from the most acute period of harm.

Clear information about the research, how data would be used, and participants’ right to withdraw at any point was provided at every stage. Safeguarding procedures were in place throughout, with researchers prepared to pause or end interviews where participant comfort or safety appeared compromised. Signposting to relevant support resources was provided to all participants.

Some participants described the research as a cathartic or valuable experience and reflected positively on the opportunity to share and make sense of their experiences. While this speaks to the care taken in the research design, researchers remained alert to the risk that reflecting on difficult experiences could (re)surface distress, and adapted conversations accordingly.

All participants have been given pseudonyms, and any identifying details in quotes and case studies have been changed to protect their anonymity.

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