SERVING PROBLEM GAMBLERS IN ETHNO-RACIAL COMMUNITIES: CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES

Abstract

<p>This study explores the experiences of problem gambling service providers who work with problem gamblers of ethno-cultural backgrounds within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in an attempt to review both their challenges and the strategies they employ in delivering their services. The study hopes to unveil new ideas using semi-structured interviews that would make service consumers from this population find services even more culturally responsive and accessible than it currently is. Because of the value of qualitative research approach in obtaining intricate details about the subjective experiences of individuals, groups, and the population being interviewed I decided on a qualitative research approach. This approach encourages a deliberative process that will not hinder the ability of interview participants to express their views and possibly contribute beyond that if they so choose. Participants have been randomly chosen from problem gambling services agencies within the GTA who provide services to ethno-racial communities. Program managers or their appointed designates were interviewed as I believe their knowledge to be an essential first step toward developing culturally sensitive and accessible services.</p> <p>Study results suggest that service providers do actually encounter challenges in providing treatment services to ethno-cultural communities. This study's participants also identified strategies that they employed to overcome the challenges they experienced working with individuals, families and groups of ethno-racial backgrounds. Participants in considering consumers' cultures to be an integral part of problem gambling service provision identified several ways that they worked collaboratively with problem gambling treatment service consumers to make their treatment service delivery culturally sensitive. Considering that the decision as to what service provision approach is considered culturally sensitive lies with the service consumers this study is not able to conclusively argue that participants' claim of culturally sensitive service provision is justifiable. Future studies in this area will need to focus on problem gambling treatment service consumers of ethno-cultural backgrounds to confirm that the services they receive are truly relevant and sensitive to their cultures.</p>