Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41536125›Full record

ArticleBJPsych open2026

Suicidal ideation among people with different gambling behaviour profiles: analysis of a longitudinal survey of people who gamble regularly in the UK.

Heather Wardle, Karen Wetherall, Jessica Wyllie, Sarah Tipping, Seonaid Cleare, Martin Jones, Sally McManus, Rory C O'Connor

Abstract read
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Article in BJPsych open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Heather WardleSchool of Social and Political Sciences, https://ror.org/00vtgdb53University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1361-3706
Karen WetherallSuicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4000-8969
Jessica WyllieSuicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Sarah TippingSchool of Social and Political Sciences, https://ror.org/00vtgdb53University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Seonaid CleareSuicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Martin JonesIndependent.
Sally McManusSchool of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's, University of London, London, UK.
Rory C O'ConnorSuicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPeople who gamble experience elevated rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Longitudinal studies have been scarce, and none has focused on those who regularly gamble in the UK.

aimsTo examine the relationship between specific products and locations of gambling activity (and their combinations) and risk of subsequent suicidal thoughts.

methodWe analysed a UK longitudinal survey of 3927 adults (18 years old or over) who regularly bet on sports. Data were collected online between June and November 2020. Latent class analysis was used to identify groups of people with similar gambling profiles on the basis of 13 types of gambling activity. Weighted group characteristics are presented. Regression modelling was used to test associations between gambling groups and suicidal thoughts, adjusting for baseline characteristics.

resultsFive distinct groups were identified. One group (5.6% of the sample) reported multiple types of both in-person and online gambling. This group was the most likely to use electronic gambling machines. After adjustment for baseline suicidal thoughts, this group had significantly higher odds of subsequent suicidal thoughts (adjusted odds ratio 3.42; 95% CI: 1.18-9.89) than other groups.

conclusionsAlthough many profiles of gambling activity present suicide risk, some types present greater risk. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines recommend enquiry in primary care settings about gambling behaviours. Our findings suggest that clinicians should consider asking questions on mode (online or in-person) and product (especially electronic gambling machines) to identify those at heightened risk of suicidal ideation. Gambling should also be considered routinely in psychosocial assessments across clinical settings and incorporated into suicide prevention campaigns.

Indexed as

Gamblinglongitudinalself-harmsuicide

Identifiers

PMID41536125
PMCPMC12835708

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.