Young adults are more likely to engage in risky behavior (Photo: Unsplash)

An increase in gambling problems is linked to a higher risk of suicide attempts in young adults, new research suggests.

The study found that young adults ages 16 to 24 who experienced an increase in negative gambling experiences over the course of a year were 2.74 times more likely to commit suicide than those whose gambling remained unchanged.

“Gambling harm” refers to the negative impact on the health and well-being of people and their relationships.

Experts say the study is important because it followed the same group of young people over time and tracked changes in their gambling and suicidal behaviors.

According to the researchers, any escalation in the experience of gambling harm, regardless of the starting point, may be a major risk factor for increased suicidality — thoughts of death and suicide attempts.

An increase in gambling problems has been linked to a higher risk of suicide attempts among young adults (Photo: Unsplash)

Researchers say young adults are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, including being impulsive and participating in thrill-seeking experiments.

The study, led by Dr. Heather Wardle, University of Glasgow, showed that while impulsiveness, loneliness, low well-being and anxiety explain part of the link between suicidality and gambling in young adults, they do not fully explain it.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in young adults, especially young men. When speaking to people who have suffered serious gaming injuries, many describe themselves as suicidal,” said Dr. Ward.

“And yet the debate continues about whether gambling addiction is a risk factor for suicidality or if it is better explained by other things, such as poor well-being.”

“Our research suggests this is not the case, as we find that any increase in negative experiences related to gambling in young adults may translate into a higher risk of suicide.”

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The results suggest that those who may be suffering more damage should be quickly identified and action taken (Photo: Unsplash)

The study adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the recognition of gambling as a risk factor in suicide prevention plans.

“This study shows that interventions that reduce gambling-related harm can also reduce levels of suicidal tendencies in society,” said Sally McManus, co-author of the study from City, University of London.

The researchers say their findings suggest the need to quickly identify and intervene in those who may be more harmed.

This requires the embedding of routine and repeat screening in primary care practices, social care and other relevant government organizations.

“We’ve seen gambling warnings and tragic personal stories bravely told in public, but it’s inevitably taking longer to get the high-quality evidence we need for prevention,” said Sir Louis Appleby, chair of the National Suicide Advisory’s prevention strategy Group.

“Now this evidence is coming through. It is also timely: the government has announced a new national strategy for suicide prevention and gambling addiction will certainly be addressed.”

The study also raises questions about preferred methods of intervention for people considered at risk.

Government regulators require gambling operators to conduct risk assessments of customer data to identify those at increased risk of gambling harm. How this is then carried out is unclear.

The study recommends that if regulators enforce this requirement, all industry personnel involved in customer interactions could be required to undergo regular, independent, transparent, and robust suicide prevention and intervention training.

The authors say that as a mandatory licensing condition, this could replicate the approach used in financial services reform.