Gambling problems among United Kingdom armed forces veterans: Associations with gambling motivation and posttraumatic stress disorder

Military service, mental health, and gambling activities motivations as predictors of problem in a sample UK AF veterans. Age-and-gender matched veterans (n = 1,037) non-veterans 1,148) completed an online survey gambling, motivation, health (depression anxiety), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Past year rates were higher compared to non-veterans. Veteran status predicted increased risk. The relationship between cope with distress was significantly stronger among Veterans experiencing PTSD complex (C-PTSD) at risk gambling. Overall, the present, findings contribute further international evidence that are population vulnerable or C-PTSD most at-risk may engage problematic escape/avoid distress. Routine screening for problems should be undertaken current former military personnel, research is needed on interplay motivation veterans’ health.