Browsing by Author "Mutti-Packer, Seema"

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    Just Gambling? Ethical Challenges Pertaining to Gambling Provision, Policy and Research
    (2017-04) Abbott, Max; Banks, James; Belanger, Yale; Brown, Dan; Christensen, Darren; Hancock, Linda; Harrigan, Kevin; Johnson, Mark; Lund, Anna; Markham, Francis; McGrath, Daniel; Mutti-Packer, Seema; Nicoll, Fiona; Rockloff, Matthew; Rorie, Melissa; Sanders, James; Scholnick, Barry; Simpson, Rob; Williams, Robert; Wilsenach, André; Wohl, Michael
    16th Annual Conference "Just Gambling? Ethical Challenges Pertaining to Gambling Provision, Policy and Research" took place April 6-8, 2017 @ The Banff Centre, Banff, Alberta, Canada. Opening reception the evening of April 6, 2017.
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    Perceptions of plain packaging and health warning labels for cannabis among young adults: findings from an experimental study
    (2018-12-10) Mutti-Packer, Seema; Collyer, Brianne; Hodgins, David C
    Abstract Background There is strong evidence that plain cigarette packaging and health warning labels (HWLs) reduce brand appeal and increase health knowledge. There is limited evidence examining this population-level public health approach for cannabis packaging. This issue is of particular importance in light of the recent legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada. The current study examined perceptions of plain packaging and HWLs for cannabis packages among young adults. Methods An online experimental study was conducted with a sample of university students in Alberta, Canada (n = 656). Respondents were randomly assigned to view cannabis packages in one of four conditions: Condition 1: branded pack, Condition 2: plain pack (uniform color, brand imagery removed, standardized font), Condition 3: branded pack with a HWL, and Condition 4: plain pack with a HWL. Respondents in Conditions 3 and 4 viewed five text-based HWLs, each corresponding to a health effect associated with cannabis use: (1) brain development, (2) mental health issues, (3) impaired driving, (4) nonlethal overdose, and (5) addiction. After viewing packs, respondents rated packs and health warnings on various measures. Results Branded packages without HWLs were rated as most appealing compared to all other packs (p < 0.001 for all contrasts). No differences were found in ratings of appeal when comparing branded and plain packs with HWLs. Warning messages for cognitive development and impaired driving were rated highest on levels of perceived effectiveness, believability, and fear, whereas the addiction warning was rated among the lowest. In general, there were gaps in health knowledge related to cannabis use, however after viewing packs with warnings (compared to viewing packs without warnings) levels of health knowledge increased across all health effects (p < 0.01 for all). Lastly, a significant majority of young adults reported they would purchase the branded pack without a HWL (39.5%), compared to all other pack types (p < 0.05 for all contrasts). The lowest proportion of young adults reported they would purchase a plain pack with a HWL (1.1%). Conclusions Plain packaging and health warnings may reduce brand appeal and increase health knowledge among young adults.
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    The protective role of religiosity against problem gambling: findings from a five-year prospective study
    (2017-11-06) Mutti-Packer, Seema; Hodgins, David C; Williams, Robert J; Konkolÿ Thege, Barna
    Abstract Background Little research has examined the potential protective influence of religiosity against problem gambling; a common addictive behavior, and one with a host of associated negative health and social outcomes. The aims of this study were to examine (1) the potential longitudinal association between religiosity and problem gambling among adults and (2) the potential moderating role of gender on this association. Methods Data were from five waves of the Quinte Longitudinal Study (QLS), between 2006 and 2010. Participants were Canadian adults from Belleville, Ontario, Canada (n = 4121). A multiple group (based on gender) latent growth curve analysis was conducted to examine the overall trajectory of problem gambling severity. Two models were tested; the first examined the influence of past-year religious service attendance, and the second examined an overall measure of personal religiosity on the trajectory of problem gambling. The Problem and Pathological Gambling Measure (PPGM) was used as a continuous measure. The Rohrbaugh-Jessor Religiosity Scale (RJRS) was used to assess past-year frequency of religious service attendance and personal religiosity. Religious affiliation (Protestant, Catholic, Atheist/Agnostic, Other, Prefer not to say) was also included in the models. Results At baseline, higher frequency of past-year religious service attendance (males: β= −0.54, females: β= −0.68, p < 0.001 for both) and greater overall personal religiosity (males: β= −0.17, females: β= −0.13, p < 0.001 for both) were associated with lower PPGM scores. The moderating effect of gender indicated that the influence of past-year religious service attendance was greater among females (χ2diff(44) = 336.8, p < 0.001); however, the effect of overall religiosity was greater among males (χ2diff(36) = 213.4, p < 0.001). Findings were mixed with respect to religious affiliation. No measures of religiosity or religious affiliation were associated with the overall decline in problem gambling severity. Conclusions These findings suggest that religiosity may act as a static protective factor against problem gambling severity but may play a less significant role in predicting change in problem gambling severity over time.