Understanding end-user perspectives to enhance perceived value uptake of harm-minimization tools: considering gambler’s views of a pre-commitment system

Harm-minimization strategies reduce the experience of gambling-related harms for individuals and those close to them. Most policies and particularly discussions of tool design and implementation fail to involve end users and consider their concerns and needs. This study aimed to investigate the best way to introduce a harm-minimization tool for electronic gaming machines (EGMs) that will maximize the perceived value and subsequent uptake by the intended audience of gamblers. Focus groups were conducted with 31 Australian regular EGM gamblers experiencing a range of gambling problems. Participants were asked their perspectives of a pre-commitment system (features including accessing activity statements, setting limits, viewing dynamic messages, taking breaks), including concerns, and how to enhance perceived value and usefulness. Positive attitudes about the system were expressed; however, many gamblers saw the tool as relevant only for problem gamblers. Participants indicated that value could be enhanced by making the system flexible and customizable, but still easy to use. Design and implementation strategies such as incorporating flexibility in features, ease of use, appropriate terminology, and educational efforts may address gamblers’ concerns, particularly regarding privacy and potential stigma. This would enhance user perception of harm-minimization tools as relevant and may subsequently enhance effectiveness.     

Family violence in gambling help-seeking populations

Elevated rates of family violence among treatment-seeking problem gamblers compared to general population estimates have been reported in Spain, Canada and Australia. This study examined the occurrence of family violence among 454 problem gambling help-seeking clients (370 gamblers, 84 affected others) recruited through 3 national gambling treatment services in New Zealand. Measures used were the Problem Gambling Severity Index, and a modified version of the HITS Scale which assessed physical, emotional, verbal and sexual abuse. Past-year family violence among gamblers in this sample was 46.8% for victimization, 41.2% for perpetration and 55.0% for any form of family violence. Among affected others the occurrence was 65.5% for victimization, 57.1% for perpetration and 71.4% for any form of violence. The most common type of violence was verbal intimate partner violence. Affected others and women gamblers reported higher rates of violence victimization and perpetration. These findings underscore the importance of screening gambling help-seeking clients for family violence, and the development of prevention and treatment programmes to address violence in this population, with particular attention to affected others and women gamblers. Future research should assess coercive control and the gendered nature of family violence among problem gambling help-seekers.     

Logical abilities and behavior in strategic-form games

This paper investigates the impact of cognitive abilities and preferences on behavior in games. We first measure subjects’ logical abilities and social preferences and then evaluate their influence on behavior in strategic-form games. For this purpose, we estimate how logical abilities and preferences relate to the probability of a subject being of a specific behavioral type. We find that better logical abilities increase the likelihood of sophisticated behavior. This shift is stronger for subjects who are classified as “selfish”. However, not even the most logically able, selfish subjects are identified as Nash types.     

What mental health professionals in Israel know and think about adolescent problem gambling

Mental health professionals are well versed in addressing multiple adolescent risky behaviours and play a primary role in the identification of and referral process and service provision for young people who engage in such behaviours. Given their ‘person-in-environment’ approach, training in multi-sectoral collaboration, and awareness of social policies, social workers are especially equipped to provide needed mental health services to young people. The aim of the current study was to examine Israeli mental health professionals’ awareness of and attitudes towards adolescent high-risk behaviours, including gambling. Child psychologists, social workers and school counsellors (N = 273) completed an online survey addressing concerns related to high-risk behaviours. Findings revealed that social workers perceived gambling as being among one of the least concerning adolescent mental health issues and reported feeling the least confident in their abilities to provide services to young people with gambling problems. The results suggest the importance of youth gambling addictions being incorporated into social work training curricula.     

构建和谐社区的切入途径

目前社区建设存在着理论研究落后、行政化倾向、专业人员缺乏、资金投入不足等同题,加强理论研究、积极进行社区管理体制改革、培养专业人员等是当前社区建设的切入途径。     

深化习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究需要注意的若干问题

深入研究习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想是中国学界的重要使命。当前学界关于习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的研究已经形成了诸多优秀成果,但同时也存在一些问题,主要体现在问题意识、研究主题和对象、逻辑话语、方法范式、研究内容等层面。站在社会主义现代化建设的新的历史起点上,深化习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究,应立足中国大地和中国实践,不断提升现实洞察力,在把握历史规律的基础上丰富研究的思想性,创造出更多引人入胜、令人澎湃、引发深思、充满启迪的经典作品。     

网络社会问题与控制

网络社会问题是当今社会日益严重的全球性问题.网络社会问题的类型有:网络犯罪和网络黑客、网络色情、信息化污染、网络沉溺、信息垄断与两极分化等等.网络社会问题具有以下特征:全球性、高技术性、主观认定上的文化差异性、后果控制的艰难性.根据这些特征,网络社会问题的控制要诉诸技术、法律、道德和人文观念的力量.     

具有模糊旅行时间的VRP的一种混合遗传算法

传统确定性车辆路径问题是近几十年来运筹学领域研究的一个热点问题.但在许多实际的应用中,由于受客观世界中存在的不确定性因素以及人类观察、认识事物的模糊性的影响,车辆路径问题的某些参数可能是模糊的、不确定的.文中传统确定性车辆路径问题被扩展为具有模糊特征的模糊车辆路径问题.在对具有模糊旅行时间的车辆路径问题进行简单描述的基础上,构建了该问题的数学模型,并通过将模糊逻辑、模糊控制方法与传统车辆路径问题的遗传算法进行有效结合,提出了解决该问题的一种混合遗传算法.最后给出了该问题的一个计算实例,并通过随机模拟试验验证了该算法的有效性和优越性.     

基于德育的大学生学业辅导体系的构建

当代大学生是社会进步的重要推手,其能否树立正确的价值理念,关系到我国社会主义道路的发展进程。基于德育的大学生学业辅导体系,有助于培养具有社会主义理想的有为青年。分析了构建德育化大学生学业辅导体系的内涵,阐述了体系构建中存在的主要问题,并提出了具体的改进建议。