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BackgroundRecovery from mental health and behavioral disorders is classically defined as a reduction in symptoms. More recent definitions see it as a process in which individuals improve their health, wellness and other life domains. The inclusion of gaming disorder (GD) in the 11th International Classification of Diseases in 2019 prompted growing interest in GD. However, relatively little is known about recovery from GD, and there is scant literature describing or assessing its course.ObjectivesThis scoping review was designed to explore the state of the art on recovery from GD (e.g., terminology and measures used to assess recovery, main topics in studies about recovery from GD).MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched and critically reviewed according to PRISMA guidelines. We included empirical studies in English covering individuals across all age groups who met the diagnostic criteria of GD/internet gaming disorder (IGD) according to valid scales that relate to recovery or any change, and were published before February 2022.ResultsA total of 47 out of 966 studies met the inclusion criteria. Recovery as a concept is not explicitly mentioned in GD studies. Rather, changes in subjects' disorders are described in terms of decreases/reductions in symptom severity, or improvement/increases. These changes are primarily measured by scales that evaluate symptom reduction and/or improvement in GD and other psychopathologies.ConclusionsThe concept of recovery is included in the GD field but is not clearly mentioned or used. Therapists and researchers should aim to promote and integrate the notion of recovery in GD.

Background and aims Recovery is a challenge for individuals coping with a gambling disorder (GD). Recovery capital (RC) is a conceptual framework describing positive external and internal (e.g., human, social, community and financial) resources that promote recovery. Negative RC relates to external and internal obstacles to recovery. To date, no scale has captured both positive and negative RC items in the gambling field. Based on the RC framework, this pilot study aimed to develop The Holistic Recovery Capital in Gambling Disorder (HRC-GD) instrument, and to explore its associations with recovery status, measures of psychopathology and happiness. We hypothesized that higher HRC-GD scores will be positively related to recovery and subjective happiness, but negatively linked to depression, anxiety, and gambling severity. Method Recovered and non-recovered individuals with a lifetime DSM-5 GD (n = 164) completed the HRC-GD instrument, the DSM-5 GD diagnostic criteria, and measures of depression, anxiety, and subjective happiness. Results Through a process of item reduction, which included a principal components analysis, 19 items were retained. Since exploratory factor analysis (EFA) yielded uninterpretable findings, an index score reflecting human, financial, community, and social resources and obstacles was calculated. HRC-GD index scores were negatively correlated with anxiety, depression, and GD symptom severity, but positively related with subjective happiness. Index scores were significantly associated with recovery status. Conclusions The HRC-GD index holds promise as a new tool for measuring RC in GD. Additional research is needed to validate this index using larger and more ethnically and gender diverse clinical and community samples of individuals with GD.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) among older people is under-diagnosed even though the population of older people is rising. Recovery from AUD among older people is a challenging process. A scoping review of the literature on recovery from AUD among older people was conducted to characterize the main topics in recovery. A systematic search was conducted in five databases: Psycinfo, Medline, CINHAL, WoS, and Embase from January 2000 to May 2021 using the PRISMA-ScR. Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. The concept of recovery was defined in 20 studies, where the most frequent term was “abstinence.” 16 studies described treatment programs with different types of interventions. Six studies described specific programs for older people; five reported positive outcomes. Future studies should implement a broader definition of recovery that reflects the dimensions of the concept and refers to different age groups, to enable interdisciplinary professionals to develop holistic interventions.

Stigma refers to the attribution of negative sentiments towards a particular entity, object or individual. Stigma can be public, perceived, or self-referential and can have negative consequences for individuals, including losses of self-esteem, self-efficacy, social isolation and a reluctance to seek help. Problem gambling is known to be a stigmatized activity, but less is known about what factors are associated with this perception and how it might vary in different countries. The current study examines the relationship between perceived stigma towards problem gamblers and gambling attitudes. perceptions of gambling regulations, gambling involvement, perceived accessibility to gambling, and exposure to people with gambling problems. The sample comprised 1787 university students aged 18–30 years from four countries: Australia, Canada, Croatia and Israel. The results indicated that greater perceived stigma was associated with more negative gambling attitudes, less engagement with gambling, and lower perceived social accessibility (the perception that others approve of the activity). Respondents from Croatia, the country with a newer gambling market, reported the most stigma towards problem gamblers as compared with Australia and Canada where gambling is longer established. The findings appear consistent with exposure–adaptation theory, in which tolerance towards people with problem gambling can develop over time in line with greater social acceptance or familiarity with the activity and its consequences. It is suggested that community campaigns and educational programs draw a distinction between attitudes towards gambling in general and those who are negatively affected by the activity.

The Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and its concomitant social isolation have affected older citizens more than any other sector of the population. This article describes the theoretical and practical principles of a short-term tele-therapy intervention model developed and implemented as a pilot project during the Coronavirus pandemic to support older residents of the community, who faced a variety of needs stemming from the lockdowns and social isolation. The intervention was developed and directed in collaboration with faculty members from a university school of social work and social workers from the municipal social services in Israel, and was conducted by first year social work students as part of their first field experience. This intervention combined Perlman’s model of problem solving, a telephone crisis intervention model and a strengths-based approach. Participants and students indicated that they benefitted from the programme and felt that the therapeutic relationships were meaningful. These outcomes and reports suggest that this type of intervention is successful and can be applied to older people during other crises or in other populations, communities and countries as part of the field experience of social work students.

Countries with public policies that support gambling through gambling legislation foster an environment in which gambling is socially accepted, tacitly encouraged and actively promoted. Although gambling worldwide has features in common, countries differ in terms of the nature of their gambling markets. The current study examined the role of perceived gambling accessibility in gambling behaviors and problem gambling in four different countries: Australia, Canada, Croatia and Israel. A convenience sample comprised 1787 university students aged 18–30. Gambling behaviors and problems were found to be more prevalent and gambling was perceived to be more accessible in liberalized markets (e.g. Australia, Canada, and Croatia) as compared to Israel which is relatively more conservative and has more restrictive regulations. Social accessibility was perceived to be higher in those who gambled and associated with higher risk gambling, especially for women. The study highlights the potentially important role of social normalization of gambling and how supply variations can influence perceptions as well as impact gambling behavior.

What is known on the subject Alcohol addiction is manifested by periods of abstinence and relapse in which the individual returns to previous problematic alcohol use. This may lead to unstable and stressful routines for the family and for women who live with a spouse diagnosed with an AUD. AUD may mentally and physically affect women living with a spouse diagnosed with AUD with respect to relapse. However, most studies have focused on the influence of AUD in general, and the way they cope with it; few have dealt with the experience of relapse as a distinctive stage. What the paper adds to existing knowledge Women's experiences of their spouses' relapses are embedded within their broader life experience in the shadow of alcohol addiction. The pattern of transitions from closeness to distance in the ways women think, feel and actively respond to their spouses' relapses shows similarities with the ways in which individuals cope with repeated trauma. This helps relate these women's experiences of their spouses' repeated relapses to the potential complex trauma these women experience and leads to a better understanding of the internal emotional dynamics of these women's behavioural patterns. What are the implications for practice These women need a therapeutic solution that can help them cope with longstanding emotional burdens. Therapists should be sensitive to the complexity of their experience. When relevant, therapy should be based on therapeutic strategies from trauma practice, along with Alcohol Behavioural Couples Therapy that can reinforce the couple's mutual efforts to achieve sobriety or reduce AUD severity ABSTRACT: Introduction Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is manifested by periods of remission and relapse which can serve as a source of continuous stressors on the individuals and family. Women living with a spouse diagnosed with AUD can be mentally and physically affected by this behaviour. Most studies have focused on the general influence of AUD on these women and their attempts to cope with AUD; there are scant data on the influences of relapse as a distinctive stage. Aim To better understand how women whose spouses are diagnosed with AUD experience their relapses. Method A qualitative-naturalistic approach was implemented. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 women whose spouses were diagnosed with AUD. Results Content analysis revealed three main categories representing the transitions from: a) ignorance to realization, b) emotional opposition to acceptance and c) activity to inactivity. Each category reflects one cognitive, emotional or behavioural dimension of this experience. The overarching theme emerged as shifts from closeness to distance in the way these women think, feel and actively respond to their spouse's relapses and addiction. Discussion The shift from closeness to distance as manifested by the three transitions is argued to reflect the ways these women experience and cope with the chronic nature of AUD. It is suggested that this experience parallels the phenomenology of symptoms of complex trauma. Implications for practice Nurses should be alert to the potential accumulative stressors experienced by these women and implement intervention strategies developed in the trauma field in addition to Alcohol Behavioural Couples Therapy.

The population of older adults suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) is increasing worldwide. Recovery from AUD among older adults is a challenging process which can lead to amelioration in these individuals' physical, mental, familial and social domains. However, little is known about the life experiences of older adults who have recovered from AUD.A qualitative-naturalistic approach was implemented. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 older adults, age 60 +, who had recovered from AUD for periods ranging from 1 to 9 years.Three main categories emerged from the content analysis: a) Regrets, self-forgiveness and a desire to remedy past wrongs; b) successful aging and eagerness to live; c) enduring challenges. These categories reflect the complex and multidimensional experiences of older adults who have recovered from AUD.Older adults who recover from AUD report experiencing successful aging. They are willing to engage in new ventures in late life, live actively and age healthfully. However, despite their positive outlook, older adults recovering from AUD are a vulnerable population, especially when they experience marginalization as post-AUD older adults. This underscores the need to reach out to this population and the host of challenges they face to provide supportive treatments and interventions from interdisciplinary professionals who can guide their recovery from AUD and help them flourish in late life.

Understanding how factors promoting recovery from gambling disorder operate is important in gambling studies and treatment programs. The recovery experience may involve multiple positive resources and may be hindered by negative experiences or states. Most prior studies have focused on the latter, generating a gap in understanding the role for positive psychology measures in recovery from gambling disorder. This study investigated the associations between symptom improvement in gambling disorder and positive resources operationalized as recovery capital (internal and external resources that individuals may draw upon during the recovery process) and intrinsic spirituality. Negative experiences and states, including stressful life events, depression, and anxiety, were also considered. One hundred and 40 individuals (101 men) with a lifetime gambling disorder treated in 5 treatment centers in Israel were assessed on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for gambling disorder (lifetime and past-year), Brief Assessment of Recovery Capital Scale adapted to gambling disorder, Intrinsic Spirituality Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire 9 for depression, and Stressful Life Events Scale. Improvement in gambling disorder was calculated by subtracting the criteria count for the previous year from the lifetime count. Although anxiety, stressful life events, and depression were found to be negatively associated with gambling disorder symptom improvement, only recovery capital and spirituality remained significant when all variables were entered together in a multiple regression analysis. These findings highlight the positive role of recovery capital and spirituality in the recovery process and suggest treatment providers should integrate a positive psychology approach in gambling disorder treatment programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Background Understanding gender-related differences is important in recovery processes. Previous studies have investigated gender-related differences in factors associated with gambling disorder (GD), but none to date have considered both positive and negative resources related to recovery. Using a recovery capital (RC) framework that considers multiple resources available during recovery, this study examined gender-related similarities and differences in associations between positive resources (RC, spirituality) and negative experiences and states (stressful life events, depression, and anxiety) and GD symptom improvement. Method One hundred and forty individuals with lifetime GD (101 men) were assessed using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for GD (past-year and lifetime prior to past-year), the Brief Assessment of RC, the Intrinsic Spirituality Scale, the Stressful Life-events Scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 for depression. Multiple linear regression and Bayesian statistical analyses were conducted. Results RC was positively and significantly associated with GD symptom improvement in women and men. Stressful life events were negatively associated with GD symptom improvement only in men. Conclusions RC is an important positive resource for men and women recovering from GD and should be considered in treating both women and men. Understanding specific RC factors across gender groups and stressors, particularly in men, may aid in developing improved interventions for GD.

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a worldwide phenomenon with very negative consequences, and belonging to a religious community is considered to be a protective factor against them. The pathways to SUDs have been investigated in many studies with the aim of helping us better understand this phenomenon and promoting effective intervention programs to prevent and manage it. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding SUDs in closed religious communities such as the Ultraorthodox Jewish community.To fill this gap, in the current study we investigated the pathways to SUDs among 14 young men from the Ultraorthodox Jewish community in Israel who were diagnosed as having an SUD in the past and who had been in sustained remission for at least a year. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews consisting of open-ended questions were conducted.The findings highlighted two main themes: (a) A lack of support and attention from various systems, where participants reported sense of otherness or lack of belonging to family, educational institutions and community; a lack of responsiveness from those systems; a sense of rejection or exclusion; and a longing for belonging, and (b) A light in the darkness - someone who cares, in which the interviewees received some assistance, either in the period before or during drug use.Findings point to the unique experience of Ultraorthodox young men in their addiction process and shed light on the failure of the abovementioned systems to help these young men cope. Findings are discussed in the context of the theoretical perspectives of social capital theory and exclusion. Implications for intervention and policy are outlined.

Gender is a multidimensional construct that differentiates males and females according to its meanings in different socio-cultural contexts. Recovery capital (RC) describes the internal and external resources individuals employ and/or have access to when overcoming addictions. Negative RC refers to elements that hinder recovery. The literature on gender and RC is baffling since unlike quantitative studies that have found no differences between men and women in the levels of RC, qualitative comparisons indeed underscore differences. This study employed qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore how men and women with gambling disorder (GD) understand and employ gender as a factor in their recovery. Participants with GD (N = 133, 39 women) answered an open-ended question on gender as a component in their recovery. Content analysis revealed that 41.35% of the interviewees did not consider gender as a significant factor in recovery. By contrast, 58.65% viewed gender as important to recovery, indicating four gender-related elements that either enhance and/or hinder recovery: gender stereotypes, gender roles, mixed-gender therapeutic space, and sex in exchange for money for gambling. Chi-square analyses showed no differences between men and women in the distribution of the relevance of gender to recovery. Both groups reported similar perceptions of gender in relation to recovery, and identified similar gender-related specific elements that enhanced or hindered recovery from GD except for exchanging sex for money for gambling. These findings are explained by a combination of macro and micro-level theories that result in a new conceptualization of RC. We coined the term "Recovery Capital in Action" to show how the "RC toolkit" that individuals employ can hinder or enhance their recovery depending on cultural context, and that gender can be both a negative and a positive RC. Mental health professionals should consider the interplay between gender and the socio-cultural contexts during recovery.

Recovery from any addiction, including gambling, involves continuous efforts to improve wellness despite the obstacles and challenges. The recovery capital (RC) model is a holistic conceptual framework operationalized along a continuum ranging from positive internal and external RC resources that enhance recovery to negative recovery capital (NRC) which are defined as obstacles that impede individuals from coping with their addiction. Although previous studies have conceptualized the positive side of the RC model, no study has systematically explored NRC. This study develops a model that maps and conceptualizes the elements that impede recovery from gambling disorder (GD). In the current study, 133 individuals with a lifetime GD were interviewed about the factors that have hindered their recovery. A content analysis identified 14 NRC categories that were classified into four domains: Human NRC (urges and uncontrolled urges, cognitive distortions, inaction, sensation seeking, stressful life events, negative emotions, ability to conceal, a lack of motivation to recover), Social NRC (lack of social or familial networks, conflictual or dangerous social networks), Community NRC (an environment that encourages gambling, money lenders), and Financial NRC (financial distress and debt, money as a risk factor). The discussion centers on a holistic perspective of the elements that hinder recovery from GD, and calls for intervention methods that aim to minimize NRC to provide more holistic solutions to GD and possibly other addictions.

Public attitudes toward gambling have important implications for people’s engagement in the activity and receptivity to regulatory reforms. Such views are likely, however, to be influenced by variations in market conditions, perceptions of regulations and personal exposure to gambling. This article examines whether differences in gambling attitudes are related to differences in the perceived social, cognitive, and physical accessibility of gambling in four countries (Australia, Israel, Croatia and Canada). These countries were selected because they cover a range of gambling regulations, from established liberalized markets (Australia, Canada), to a recently liberalized market (Croatia) to a relatively restricted market (Israel). University student respondents (n = 1787, aged 18–30) were surveyed in these four countries to control for educational differences. Within- gender analyses controlled for differences in gender profile across countries. More positive attitudes were associated with greater social accessibility and more stringent regulations. Australian and Canadian respondents reported more positive attitudes toward gambling and regulations. Israeli respondents reported less positive attitudes and exposure to problem gambling. Croatian respondents reported more positive attitudes, but considered gambling to be poorly regulated and overly available. Overall, attitudes were related to perceptions of regulation as well as the duration of exposure to liberalized markets.

Background: Although more than 40% of US military veterans have lifetime histories of alcohol use disorder (AUD), little is known about the prevalence and correlates of current drinking patterns (i.e., abstinent, subthreshold, hazardous drinking) in this population. Objectives: To characterize the prevalence and key correlates of abstinence, subthreshold drinking, and hazardous drinking in a nationally representative sample of US veterans with lifetime AUD. Methods: Data from 1,282 veterans with lifetime AUD who participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study were analyzed using analyses of variance, chi-square analyses, and multinomial regression models. Results: Of the 1,282 veterans with lifetime AUD (of which 94.7% were males), 674 (48.2%) were past-year subthreshold drinkers, 317 (28.0%) were abstinent and 291 (23.8%) were hazardous drinkers. Abstinent veterans were older, less educated, less socially engaged, and had higher levels of religiosity than subthreshold and hazardous drinkers. They were also more likely to smoke, screen positive for PTSD, reported greater somatic symptoms than subthreshold drinkers, and had more physical difficulties and lifetime trauma than hazardous drinkers. Subthreshold drinkers were more likely than hazardous drinkers to be female and report physical health problems and less likely to smoke and be depressed. Conclusion: More than three-quarters of US veterans with lifetime AUD are currently abstinent or subthreshold drinkers. Factors associated with abstinence included older age, health problems, religiosity and social engagement. Results suggest a "J-shaped" relationship between current drinking patterns and health and psychosocial factors in veterans, with subthreshold drinkers generally having better health than abstinent and hazardous drinkers.

Background and aims The concept of recovery capital (RC) describes the internal and external resources that individuals draw upon to initiate and sustain the processes of addiction recovery. This concept has been primarily applied to individuals recovering from substance addictions. In this study, the RC concept was applied to individuals with a gambling disorder (GD) to test its associations with the diagnosis and severity of GD and with levels of psychopathology as manifested in depression and anxiety. Methods A sample of 140 individuals who recovered or did not recover from a GD was drawn from lists of former and currently treated individuals in five gambling treatment centers in Israel. The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for GD, Assessment of Recovery Capital and Brief Assessment of Recovery Capital Scales adapted to Gambling, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 which measures depression were used. Results RC clearly distinguishes between individuals who have recovered from GD and those who have not. A structural equation model showed significant negative associations between RC and GD severity, depression, and generalized anxiety. The associations between GD severity and depression and anxiety were not significant. However, when omitting the path between RC and depression/anxiety, the associations between GD and depression/anxiety became significant. Conclusions RC plays an important role in GD severity and diagnosis, as well as in psychopathology. This study extends the concept of RC to the area of gambling and contributes to the growing body of studies that have found parallels and common denominators between substance addiction and behavioral addictions.

Background: Spirituality is related to an individual’s relationship with a Transcendent Being or Ultimate Reality, which may contribute to salutary human experience and serve as a motive for attitu...

Although age-related differences have been reported in gambling disorder, prior studies have not examined how age may influence recovery in gambling disorder. Recovery may be influenced by positive factors (e.g., spirituality and recovery capital) and negative factors (e.g., depression, anxiety, and stressful life events). The current study examined associations between these positive and negative factors and gambling disorder DSM-5 symptom improvement in younger and older adults. Younger (less than 55 years of age; n = 86) and older (55 years or older; n = 54) adults, with lifetime gambling disorder treated currently or within the past 5 years in five treatment centers in Israel were assessed using structured scales on past-year and lifetime DSM-5 gambling disorder, intrinsic spirituality, recovery capital, anxiety, depression and stressful life-events. Among younger adults, recovery capital and intrinsic spirituality were associated with gambling disorder symptom improvement. Among older adults, only recovery capital was associated with gambling disorder symptom improvement. Correlations between recovery capital and spirituality (z = 2.34, p = 0.02) and recovery capital and stressful life events (z = 2.29, p = 0.02) were stronger in younger than in older adults. Recovery capital is an important resource that should be considered across older and younger adults with gambling disorder. Spirituality and stressful life events may operate differently across age groups in gambling disorder. Future studies should investigate whether the findings may extend to other groups and the extent to which promoting recovery capital should be integrated into treatments for gambling disorder.

Social changes in recent years have led to a broadening of the definition of family. The perception of the concept of family among the American public was assessed in 2003 and 2006 by means of the Family Perception Scale, which found that the respondents fell into three clusters, dubbed Exclusionists, Moderates, and Inclusionists. Based on a sample of adult Jewish population in Israel ( N = 1,518), this study examined whether these categories could apply to the Israeli public too, and if so, whether the distribution of these clusters were the same as in the United States. The study’s findings confirm that while this classification is well suited to the perception of family in Israel, the distribution of the three clusters differs from that in the United States. These findings may indicate that while global influences promote similar views of family structures, local influences may result in different cluster distribution patterns in each society.

Summary This mixed-methods study examined whether heterosexual social workers define same-sex relationships within the concept of family. A sample of 490 Israeli social workers completed a survey that assessed their definition of same-sex relationships as family, their personal values, level of acquaintance with same-sex relationships, and demographics. The qualitative portion included an open-ended question on the way participants perceived social and professional changes concerning families. Findings Results revealed that religiosity, gender, age, the values of universalism, benevolence and tradition, and level of acquaintance with same-sex relationships were direct predictors of the respondents’ definition of same-sex relationships as family. Level of acquaintance mediated the relationships between most demographic and value variables examined and respondents’ definition of same-sex relationships as family. Qualitative analysis endorsed the quantitative analysis. Applications Theoretical and practice implications are discussed, underlining the central role that personal acquaintance with same-sex families has in reducing heterosexism, and the need to improve knowledge about same-sex families in social work education.

Recovery capital (RC) is an emerging conceptual framework in the addiction field that pinpoints the internal and external (i.e., human, community, cultural, social, financial) resources individuals can draw on throughout the recovery process. The concept of RC was developed and applied primarily to individuals who have recovered from substance addiction. The aim of this study was to extend the RC conceptual framework to gambling disorder (GD)-which is classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) as a behavioral addiction-and to identify and conceptualize RC resources implemented by individuals who have recovered from GD. Ninety-one individuals who reported a lifetime history of DSM-5 GD but who had not exceeded the DSM-5 GD threshold criteria in the previous year, were interviewed about the factors that helped them throughout their recovery. Directed content analyses identified 12 main RC resources that were classified under 4 RC domains: human capital (subjective well-being, self-efficacy, self-control skills, proactive coping skills, socioemotional skills, reconstruction skills), community capital (prorecovery environment, professional therapeutic milieu), social capital (recovering gamblers' peer group, friends without a GD, family), and financial capital (prorecovery financial state). These findings are the first step toward formulating a comprehensive conceptual model of RC applicable to GD. This study extends the RC and the gambling literature by presenting a holistic view of recovery from GD in many facets of life, and underscores the importance of observing strengths and resources in treating people with GD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Mental health professionals are well versed in addressing multiple adolescent risky behaviours and play a primary role in the identification of and referral process and service provision for young people who engage in such behaviours. Given their ‘person-in-environment’ approach, training in multi-sectoral collaboration, and awareness of social policies, social workers are especially equipped to provide needed mental health services to young people. The aim of the current study was to examine Israeli mental health professionals’ awareness of and attitudes towards adolescent high-risk behaviours, including gambling. Child psychologists, social workers and school counsellors (N = 273) completed an online survey addressing concerns related to high-risk behaviours. Findings revealed that social workers perceived gambling as being among one of the least concerning adolescent mental health issues and reported feeling the least confident in their abilities to provide services to young people with gamblin...

Adolescence is a period of dramatic change that necessitates using skills and strengths to reduce physical aggression and increase happiness. This study examined the multiple facets of self-control skills in achieving both goals simultaneously, in a sample of 248 Arab adolescents in Israel. We conceptualized and tested a new multi-mediator model that posited two parallel paths. Structural equation modeling with bootstrap analysis supported the hypothesized model where self-control linked with subjective happiness directly, and indirectly through positive emotions and social support. In addition, self-control linked directly to physical aggression, and indirectly through hostility and anger. The findings provide new theoretical conceptualizations for further research and suggest possible mechanisms for prevention and intervention programs.

The present study investigated the moderating role of positive emotions on the associations between self-control and social support with gambling and water-pipe smoking. One hundred fifty-five adolescents aged 12–19 (M = 16.19) were contacted in 2011 at five centers for at-risk youth in Israel. Self-report findings indicated that positive emotions moderated the associations between peer social support and gambling and between self-control and water-pipe smoking. Among adolescents with higher rates of positive emotions, higher rates of self-control skills contributed to lower frequencies of water-pipe smoking. In addition, among adolescents with higher rates of positive emotions, higher levels of social support contributed to non-involvement in gambling behavior. The discussion centers on the mechanisms that can enable positive emotions to activate personality-related and environmental resources to curb adolescent risk behaviors.

Applying Schwartz's values theory and Allport's contact theory, this study examines the role of personal values and personal acquaintance with non-traditional families as mediators of the association between socio-demographic variables (SES) and family concept. In the first known study of its kind on the Jewish-Israeli family, a sample of 1518 adult respondents took part in a panel survey. The main findings underline the strong contribution of personal acquaintance with non-traditional families and the values of Conservation, and Self-Transcendence as mediators of the association between SES and family definition. In addition, women, the better-educated, and secular respondents are more inclusive in the types of relationships sanctioned as family. These findings shed light on the complex mechanisms by which personal variables, SES and individual values, and the environmental variable of personal contact with non-traditional families underpin the definition of family, and further support the utility of All...

In the past few years, gambling among adolescents has become a common health risk behavior, one that might lead to other health risk behaviors. Research on the etiology of gambling behavior among adolescents has hitherto focused primarily on the factors contributing to increased gambling severity (GS). The present study is different, in that it examines two key personality components that may help curb GS: self-control (SC) and positivity ratio (PR)--the latter being defined as the positive ratio between positive and negative affects--as factors that predict reduced GS among adolescents. A convenience sample of 595 adolescents, ages 13 to 19 (M = 15.13, SD = 1.53), from six secondary and middle schools in five major cities in Israel, was taken between February and April 2012. Four instruments were used: a Gambling Behavior Scale, the DSM-IV (adapted for juveniles), the Adolescent SC Scale, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. The main findings showed that PR moderated the association between SC and GS--highlighting the importance of PR in reducing the likelihood of problem gambling and bolstering the individual's SC skills and pointing to possible preventive actions that might be taken in the community to promote healthy adolescent behavior.

This study focused on the ability to experience a high ratio of positive to negative emotions in 807 Israeli adolescents aged 12 to 15 years (50% girls). While considering possible gender differences, we tested a model positing that adolescents’ self-control skills would link to their positivity ratio and indirectly through perceived social support from parents and classmates. Parental support was significantly higher than classmate support, and girls scored significantly higher than boys on self-control skills and on both support sources. Self-control skills linked directly with positivity ratio and indirectly through parents’ and classmates’ support, with no gender differences found for the overall model. The study highlights the importance of prevention and treatment programs designed to impart adolescents with prosocial self-control skills, to improve their perceived availability of social support and consequently to increase their positivity ratio during this intense developmental period.

This study examines the Jewish Israeli public's attitudes towards gambling, how they vary between various socio-demographic subgroups, and the association between gambling attitudes and gambling behaviour. In April 2014, 1000 Jewish Israeli adults (49.6% of them women) aged 18–67 (M = 40.28, SD = 14.07), responded to an online questionnaire that included the ATGS-8 (Attitudes Towards Gambling Scale), PGSI (Problem Gambling Severity Index) and gambling behaviour scales. The findings suggest that the Jewish Israeli public tends to have a negative attitude towards gambling – albeit less so among men and the secular population than among women and observant (Traditional, Religious or Orthodox) individuals, respectively. No significant differences were found between respondents with respect to age or levels of education. A positive association was found between attitudes and gambling behaviour, and differences were found between gambling severity categories, with low-risk gamblers exhibiting a more positive at...

Background The prevalence of gambling disorder (GD) in women has increased, but, to date, few studies have explored the features of clinical GD subtypes in female samples. Aims The aim of this study is to identify empirical clusters based on clinical/sociodemographic variables in a sample of treatment-seeking women with GD. Methods Agglomerative hierarchical clustering was applied to a sample of n = 280 patients, using sociodemographic variables, psychopathology, and personality traits as indicators for the grouping procedure. Results Three mutually exclusive groups were obtained: (a) Cluster 1 (highly dysfunctional; n = 82, 29.3%) endorsed the highest levels in gambling severity, comorbid psychopathology, novelty seeking, harm avoidance, and self-transcendence, and the lowest scores in self-directedness and cooperativeness; (b) Cluster 2 (dysfunctional; n = 142, 50.7%) achieved medium mean scores in gambling severity and psychopathological symptoms; and (c) Cluster 3 (functional; n = 56, 20.0%) obtained the lowest mean scores in gambling severity and in psychopathology, and a personality profile characterized by low levels in novelty seeking, harm avoidance, and self-transcendence, and the highest levels in self-directedness and cooperativeness. Discussion and conclusions This study sheds light on the clinical heterogeneity of women suffering from GD. Identifying the differing features of women with GD is vital to developing prevention programs and personalized treatment protocols for this overlooked population.

This exclusive department is created to include findings of special significance and to identify areas of subtle research nuances through mutual debates, discourse and discussions. Elenctic method is used wherein knowledge progresses through articulation, cross-examination and rejection of spurious hypotheses. Thus, probe aims at encouraging scholars to think against the grain by unmasking the stereotype and dogmatic that has taken the mould of research conservatism. Contact the Editor-in-chief for more details.

This study deals with how substance-dependent men perceive their paternal identity. Data were based on in-depth semi-structured interviews with 12 Israeli fathers who were enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment. Content analysis revealed that participants had undergone a process of parental identity formation composed of four distinct stages: absence, awakening, taking responsibility, and resolution to re-form oneself as a father. The discussion highlights the developmental nature of this process. Also discussed are the effects of three factors on the formation of paternal identity: the treatment for addiction, the subjects' newfound identity as "clean addicts," and social perceptions and discourses about fatherhood and addiction.Key Words: fatherhood, Methadone maintenance treatment, paternal identity, substance-dependent men.In these times of rapid social change, fatherhood is at once an identity, a practice, a social structure, and an individual life experience (Henwood & Procter, 2003; Lamb, 2010; Palkovitz & Palm, 2009). Paternal identity is complex and varied. Its formation is influenced by social perceptions of masculinity (Brandth & Kvande, 1998), by paternal roles (Doherty, 1997; Lamb & Tamis-LeMonda, 2004), and by intergenerational relations between father and son (Lamb, 1997). It binds together past events, present experiences, and thoughts about "my future self."Most of the literature on parenting and addictions has focused on the mothering practices of substance-abusing women (McMahon, Winkle, Luthar, & Rounsaville, 2005) and the effect of their substance use on the child (Loukas, Fitzgerald, Zucker & Von Eye, 2001) and less so on the issue of substancedependent men as fathers. The little that is known in this field suggests that substanceabusing fathers value their paternal status and are involved in their children's lives more than is commonly assumed (McMahon & Rounsaville, 2002), albeit accompanied by feelings of guilt and uncertainty about their relevance to their children's lives (Arenas & Greif, 2000). The paternal identity of substance-abusing men is still largely unexplored, so the purpose of the present study was to broaden what is currently known about this subject. The terminology in the literature on fathering and addictions is somewhat inconsistent in its use of the terms addiction, drug abuse, substance abuse, and drug dependence. In this article, we define the population at hand as substancedependent fathers, in keeping with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 2000).Fatherhood and Paternal IdentityFatherhood is a dynamic, complex, and multifaceted phenomenon subject to cultural, economic, and social change (Lamb & TamisLemonda, 2004). The concept of father is defined both by the father's biological function and by his emotional and social role (Dowd, 2000). In other words, it is a complex bio-psycho-social process that determines and shapes a man's identity and roles as a father in accordance with family-related and social ideologies (Branditi & Kvande, 1998; Lamb, 2010). The perception of fatherhood has changed over history, with each period placing the primary emphasis on a different aspect (Lamb, 1987): the father as moral teacher, responsible for his children's upbringing (particularly with regard to religious values); the father as breadwinner and gender role model; and the nurturing, or "New Father," who expresses his feelings and is sensitive to his children's needs, shows interest in them, and takes an active part in promoting their educational, cognitive, and emotional development (Coltrane, 1996; Lupton & Barclay, 1997). Despite these distinctions, fathers today appear to have no clear boundary between these four roles: They are all part of the fatherhood experience, with the relative importance attributed to each one varying from one father to the next and between different social groups (Lamb, 2010). …

This study analyses the controversy in Israel in the years 1958–2003 surrounding the legitimacy of casino gambling, with particular focus on how it was affected by the operations of Casino Oasis in the Palestinian Authority territory between 1998 and 2000. An interpretative narrative analysis of debates in the Israeli Knesset (parliament) and in the local press reveals that, prior to the casino's opening, most of the arguments raised were similar to those seen elsewhere in the world, with opponents objecting on moral, religious and social grounds, and those in favour emphasizing its economic and tourism benefits. However, once Casino Oasis opened its doors, the controversy took on a character not seen anywhere else in this context – opponents raised concerns about terrorism, while proponents championed the casino as a promoter of peace and coexistence – reflecting a broader, more fundamental national debate within Israeli society over the country's physical boundaries.

This study examines the control exhibited by pathological women gamblers over their lives and their surroundings, and how this is governed by their perception of their gender role and socio-cultural expectations of them as women. Seventeen pathological women gamblers (13 of whom were mothers) were recruited from three addiction treatment centers in Israel, and participated in semi-structured interviews. Three central themes emerged during analysis: maintaining control over the gender roles—putting child raising and housekeeping duties first despite their gambling habits; control over the choice of gambling venue—gambling far from their home, or where they knew the owners; and moral control—steering clear of immoral behaviors in spite of their addiction to gambling. Further analysis reveals how pathological women gamblers who are also mothers make rational choices that help them juggle between their gender roles and gambling, to minimize the social costs that might be incurred by their gambling habit. Moreover, presenting the gambling behavior as more moral than theft or prostitution enabled them to normalize their behavior. The study’s findings show how the decisions and choices made by the women in this study are shaped by the socio-cultural context in which they are made.

This study examines the relationships between gambling behaviour and temperament, sense of coherence (SOC) and exposure to advertising among adolescents, and the interactions between these three in...

As gambling becomes legalised and readily accessible, more youth are involved in this potentially harmful behaviour. As part of a harm-reduction approach, laws against the sale of lottery tickets to minors have been enacted in many jurisdictions. In October 2007, such a law was passed in Israel, seven years after the bill was first introduced in the Israeli parliament. This paper addresses the reasons why it took so long to pass this legislation. On the basis of archive documents from the Israeli parliament and articles in the press, the primary factors that may answer this question include ignorance of youth gambling as a legitimate phenomenon, opposition by some parts of the establishment and the gambling industry itself, as well as the absence of special interest groups. While this law only begins the movement in developing a responsible social policy for youth, recommendations for responsible social policy are provided.

Women with a gambling problem bear a negative social stigma. Based on the theory of symbolic interactionism, this study examined the construction of social identities by 17 Israeli women diagnosed with a gambling disorder. Interpretive interactionist analysis revealed how they construct their identity through correspondence with patterns of behavior that are perceived as normative, and identified 3 major themes: "I'm not actually a gambler" (the presentation of a multidimensional identity comprising other identities besides that of a gambler); "Staying normative during gambling"; and "I have changed" (reformed gamblers' presentation of themselves as having changed for the better). The findings underscore the complex dialogue behind the identity construction put forward by women with a gambling problem, their yearning to be perceived by society as normative women and to fit in despite their stigmatized behavior, and the tension they feel in society's relationship toward them. The findings also suggest that practitioners who work with women gamblers may want to pay attention to the power relations shaping identity construction in an interview setting, and look more closely at the women's awareness of the stigma they bear and the complex processes that make up their multidimensional identity.

Background and Objectives This study examines the association between physical activities and gambling, making a distinction between two characteristics of the former: intensity level and type (competitive/non-competitive). Method 316 adolescents from four high schools in Israel completed questionnaires. Results For males, participation in competitive athletic sports was associated with gambling frequency and problem gambling. For females, participation in competitive athletic sports was associated only with gambling frequency. Conclusions Both types of physical activity and gender are important when analyzing the association between gambling and sporting activities. Scientific Significance Youths involved in competitive sports are at greater risk for gambling involvement. (Am J Addict 2015;24:200–202)

The study examines the issue of ego identity among adolescent sons of alcoholic fathers. Forty-four adolescent sons of alcoholic fathers, age of 15–18, constituted the sample. They were drawn from public alcohol treatment center in Israel. The control group included 60 adolescents none of their parents is known as an alcoholic, sampled from integrative schools in the same neighborhood and matched by age. Ego identity was measured by Tzuriel's “Adolescent Ego Identity Scale” (AEIS). It was hypothesized that adolescent children of alcoholics will show lower scores of ego identity and of its dimensions. The hypothesis was not confirmed. To the contrary, adolescent children of alcoholics reported higher scores of “ego identity-total” and of four of the seven ego identity dimensions. One possible explanation is that children of alcoholics are maturing early in age compared to their controls. They have developed different coping strategies that facilitate creating a more “stable” ego identity compared to their peers. Another explanation is that children of alcoholics apply defense mechanisms that enhance the development of an “adaptive self.”