Mahjong and Problem Gambling in Sydney: An Exploratory Study with Chinese Australians

Health Inequities Among East and South Asian Gamblers During COVID-19: Key Risk Factors and Comorbidities

Online gambling during COVID-19 has been associated with a variety of risk factors and comorbidities, such as co-occurring substance use, mental health problems, and financial concerns and gambling motives. Far less is known about these impacts on ethno-cultural populations, including East and South Asian gamblers. The present study has attempted to explore the health inequities related to these comorbidities and risk factors among East and South Asian gamblers. A cross-sectional online survey of gamblers in Ontario, Canada, was carried out in August 2020-a time when most land-based gambling venues were not operating at full capacity. Descriptive statistical analyses, odds ratios, and negative binomial regression (NBR) were used to compare East and South Asian gamblers to other online gamblers in Ontario. The total survey sample of 2,012 gamblers included sub-samples of East Asian (n = 206) and South Asian gamblers (n = 107). Compared to other gamblers in Ontario, East and South Asians reported higher likelihood of severe gambling problems, risky financially focused gambling motives, gambling under the influence of alcohol, and elevated levels of mental health problems. An adjusted NBR analysis noted that East Asians were more highly involved in online gambling during the pandemic, compared to non-East Asian gamblers. This study has presented an array of factors representing potential health inequities among East and South Asian gamblers during the pandemic. These findings merit further investigation and replication in order to inform the development of appropriate support resources.

Effects of selected leisure activities on preventing loneliness among older Chinese

This study examined three types of leisure activities (playing cards/mahjong, watching TV/listening to the radio, and participation in social activities) among the older segment of the Chinese population, and the effects of these activities in preventing the feelings of loneliness. Data came from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), conducted in 2005, 2008, and 2011. The males, those who were educated, the young-old (aged between 65 and 74 years), urban dwellers, and living in institutions were more likely to participate in all three activities frequently. Frequent or occasional participation in these three activities was negatively associated with feelings of loneliness. The longitudinal study from 2005 to 2011 showed that respondents who frequently played cards/mahjong at baseline were less likely to feel persistent loneliness at the end of the 2011 wave. Instead, frequently watching TV/listening to the radio in 2008 was associated with lower odds in feeling persistent loneliness at the end of 2011. Hence, active participation in playing cards/mahjong and TV/radio entertainment can be effective treatment intervention against persistent loneliness among older Chinese. For the Chinese, a leisure activity steeped in a nation's culture and heritage, such as playing mahjong, may be used as an intervention strategy to prevent and alleviate chronic loneliness among older adults.