Presenter Preview: Women and Problem Gambling

Focus on the Future Session

Women and Problem Gambling: Intersectional Complexities and Opportunities for Success

Gambling is a global and cross-cultural form of entertainment that continues to expand and become easier and easier to access. Prevalence rates of recreational and problematic gambling are also on the rise, with reports of younger and younger populations beginning to play earlier than before. Traditionally, discussions surrounding gambling-related issues have been centered on male experiences, leaving a critical gap in understanding the challenges faced by women and non-male presenting adults in this domain. Recently, research has begun to recognize the nature of women’s gambling activities, motivations, and harmful patterns. For instance, researchers to date have suggested that individuals with gambling problems are often misdiagnosed and/or untreated, which leads to an underestimation of the prevalence rates of problem gambling; this reality may also disproportionately affect women, given the prevailing perception that gambling problems largely impact men only. Given this, it is important to look at differences between men and women, so that we may better understand the intersectionality between problem gambling and gender expression. Therefore, the current presentation aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the often-overlooked intersection between gender and problem gambling. The presentation will discuss the psychological and socio-cultural challenges faced by women, and how those intersectional variables may influence women’s involvement in problematic or risky gambling. Unique solutions and targeted interventions or support systems tailored for women will also be discussed.   

Presented by: Alyssa Wilson, PhD

Alyssa N. Wilson, PhD., BCBA-D, LBA (MO), ICGC-I, is an Associate Professor of Psychology at California State University, Fresno. She received her Ph.D in Rehabilitation with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis and Therapy from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D), a Licensed Behavior Analyst in the state of Missouri, and a Level 1 Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor. She is the co-author of The Gambling Disorder Treatment Handbook: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals and chapter in the Social Work Desk Reference v 4 on Gambling Disorders. She is also the co-author of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Gambling Disorders, a guide for clinicians. Dr. Wilson has delivered over fifty national and international presentations related to gambling assessment and treatment, and her research has been showcased on Netflix’s Bill Nye Saves the World.  

AGENDA

REGISTRATION

HOTEL

SCHOLARSHIPS