The experience of Chinese female spouses of problem gamblers in Hong Kong: a grounded theory study of multi-dimensional impact

Abstract

Although problematic gambling is a widespread problem among Chinese populations across the globe, there is limited research on how it affects Chinese female spouses of problem gamblers. The purpose of this study was to explore how Chinese female spouses of problem gamblers (PGs) in Hong Kong were affected and what strategies they adopted to cope with the impact of a spouse’s problematic gambling. For the study, I have interviewed with 23 adult Chinese female spouses of PGs. These study participants were recruited from five different gambling counselling centres in Hong Kong. This study employed a grounded theory methodology in the collection and analysis of the data. Nine categories of impact experienced by participants were identified, and 17 types of paradigmatic coping strategies were identified. Based on these findings, a grounded model of multiple selves and multiple paradigms (MSMP) was constructed. The model provides a self-based theoretical framework to understand how participants perceived and interpreted the impact. The model also postulates that coping strategies were guided by three major paradigms operated by participants namely the PGs-Centered Paradigm (PGCP), Family Relationship-Centered Paradigm (FRCP) and SELF Care-Centered Paradigm (SCCP). Implications for counselling and directions for future research are discussed.