Cookies on the Gambling Commission website

The Gambling Commission website uses cookies to make the site work better for you. Some of these cookies are essential to how the site functions and others are optional. Optional cookies help us remember your settings, measure your use of the site and personalise how we communicate with you. Any data collected is anonymised and we do not set optional cookies unless you consent.

Set cookie preferences

You've accepted all cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Skip to main content

Report

Lived experiences of affected others: Qualitative research

Lived experiences of affected others: Qualitative research

  1. Contents
  2. Appendix B – Questions in the 'Pause and consider' stage

Appendix B – Questions in the 'Pause and consider' stage

After completing their introductory call, participants were asked to reflect on the following questions privately ahead of the longer in-depth conversation.

  1. The gambling journey of the person who gambles

You might reflect on:

  • when and how their gambling began (as far as you’re aware)
  • how it changed over time
  • particular gambling activities that had an impact
  • whether gambling was mainly online, in-person, social, or something else
  • any major turning points or significant events
  • notable changes in behaviour, frequency, or severity
  • what you noticed at the time, compared to what you were told
  • whether you ever gambled together, and what that dynamic was like.

You might also reflect on what may have influenced their gambling, for example peers, family, advertising, access to products, life transitions, stressors, or other factors.

  1. The impact on you

You might consider how their gambling affected different areas of your life, either at the time or longer-term. For example:

  • relationships (with them and with others)
  • finances or housing
  • emotional or physical health
  • work or education
  • home or family life
  • your sense of safety, trust, or stability.

Some impacts may have overlapped or evolved over time.

  1. Your own relationship with gambling

If you are comfortable doing so, you might reflect on:

  • whether you gamble yourself
  • what you gamble on and where
  • when that started
  • whether your experiences as an 'Affected Other' influenced your own gambling in any way
  • whether gambling was ever something social between you.
  1. Coping and support

You might think about:

  • how you responded or tried to manage the situation
  • whether you sought any support (formal or informal)
  • any barriers you faced in accessing support
  • what felt helpful (and what didn’t)
  • whether you were aware of any protections or organisations offering help.
  1. Looking back and looking forward

You might also reflect on:

  • what might have helped earlier
  • what you wish had been different
  • whether there were particular points in the journey where things could have been handled differently
  • what you would want decision-makers, support organisations, or the gambling industry to understand about being affected by someone else’s gambling.
Previous section
Lived experiences of affected others - Appendix A - Glossary of key terms
Is this page useful?
Back to top