“I want control and I imagine I have it” experiences of control and loss of control among people with gambling problems in Sweden
Introduction Gambling harm is a widespread phenomenon affecting an increasing number of individuals. Understanding the concept of self-control is central to comprehending the nature of gambling problems. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with ten individuals recruited throug...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2530019 |
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| author | Ellen Gerle Tove Lundberg Björn Hofvander Anders Håkansson |
| author_facet | Ellen Gerle Tove Lundberg Björn Hofvander Anders Håkansson |
| author_sort | Ellen Gerle |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction Gambling harm is a widespread phenomenon affecting an increasing number of individuals. Understanding the concept of self-control is central to comprehending the nature of gambling problems. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with ten individuals recruited through peer support associations in Sweden. The data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results Three group themes were identified: (Un)predictability and (Un)safety: The Meanings of Being in or Out of Control, Inside “the Bubble”: Navigating (No) Control in and Through Gambling, and A Delicate Act: “Regaining” Control of an Uncontrolled Life. Gambling was described as part of a negative spiral in which individuals in challenging life situations attempt to create and recreate experiences of control through gambling. The more negative consequences gambling had on everyday life and relationships, the greater the need to retreat into a protective “bubble.” Discussion Being in and out of control are universal human experiences through which we can better understand the maintenance of severe gambling problems. Between these two experiences, there is also a false sense of control that does not correspond to experiences previously described in the literature. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b31f2416ec984f0397b16a14b7fb155e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1748-2623 1748-2631 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
| spelling | doaj-art-b31f2416ec984f0397b16a14b7fb155e2025-08-20T03:28:10ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being1748-26231748-26312025-12-0120110.1080/17482631.2025.25300192530019“I want control and I imagine I have it” experiences of control and loss of control among people with gambling problems in SwedenEllen Gerle0Tove Lundberg1Björn Hofvander2Anders Håkansson3Lund UniversityLund UniversityLund UniversityLund UniversityIntroduction Gambling harm is a widespread phenomenon affecting an increasing number of individuals. Understanding the concept of self-control is central to comprehending the nature of gambling problems. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with ten individuals recruited through peer support associations in Sweden. The data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results Three group themes were identified: (Un)predictability and (Un)safety: The Meanings of Being in or Out of Control, Inside “the Bubble”: Navigating (No) Control in and Through Gambling, and A Delicate Act: “Regaining” Control of an Uncontrolled Life. Gambling was described as part of a negative spiral in which individuals in challenging life situations attempt to create and recreate experiences of control through gambling. The more negative consequences gambling had on everyday life and relationships, the greater the need to retreat into a protective “bubble.” Discussion Being in and out of control are universal human experiences through which we can better understand the maintenance of severe gambling problems. Between these two experiences, there is also a false sense of control that does not correspond to experiences previously described in the literature.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2530019gamblingself-controlinterpretative phenomenological analysisqualitativecontrol |
| spellingShingle | Ellen Gerle Tove Lundberg Björn Hofvander Anders Håkansson “I want control and I imagine I have it” experiences of control and loss of control among people with gambling problems in Sweden International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being gambling self-control interpretative phenomenological analysis qualitative control |
| title | “I want control and I imagine I have it” experiences of control and loss of control among people with gambling problems in Sweden |
| title_full | “I want control and I imagine I have it” experiences of control and loss of control among people with gambling problems in Sweden |
| title_fullStr | “I want control and I imagine I have it” experiences of control and loss of control among people with gambling problems in Sweden |
| title_full_unstemmed | “I want control and I imagine I have it” experiences of control and loss of control among people with gambling problems in Sweden |
| title_short | “I want control and I imagine I have it” experiences of control and loss of control among people with gambling problems in Sweden |
| title_sort | i want control and i imagine i have it experiences of control and loss of control among people with gambling problems in sweden |
| topic | gambling self-control interpretative phenomenological analysis qualitative control |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2530019 |
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