Work Organization and Gambling Addiction (OTAJ)

June 17, 2026 updated by: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nīmes

Assessment of the Interaction Between Atypical Working Hours and/or Periods of Inactivity on Risky Gambling Practices Among Adults Working Under These Conditions.

Problem gambling (PG) is influenced by environmental, psychological, and socioeconomic factors, including impulsivity, depression, anxiety, and characteristics such as marital status, age, and educational level. In France, approximately 5% of adults are affected by PG. Workers with atypical schedules or periods of inactivity at work are at risk of developing problematic gambling behavior. Stress, burnout, and boredom at work can exacerbate these risks. Working atypical hours, such as night shifts, is linked to mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, which may increase the risk of PG. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of atypical schedules and periods of inactivity on PG. This research will explore the association between work schedules, periods of inactivity, and PG, particularly among workers who may be influenced by gambling norms and the specific characteristics of their jobs.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Other: Completion of an online survey lasting approximately 25 minutes

Detailed Description

Problem gambling (PG) can have serious consequences for individuals, their loved ones, and society. It is influenced by environmental, psychological, and socioeconomic factors, including impulsivity, depression, anxiety, and characteristics such as marital status, age, and educational level. In France, approximately 5% of adults are affected by PG. Workers, particularly those with atypical schedules or periods of inactivity at work, are at risk of developing problematic gambling behavior. Stress, burnout, and boredom at work can exacerbate these risks. Working atypical hours, such as night shifts, is also linked to mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, which could increase vulnerability to PG. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of atypical schedules and periods of inactivity on PG. This research project aims to explore the association between work schedules, periods of inactivity, and PG, particularly among workers who may be influenced by gambling norms and the specific characteristics of their jobs.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

1600

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Name: Anissa MEGZARI
Phone Number: 0466684236
Email: drc@chu-nimes.fr

Study Contact Backup

Name: Amandine Luquiens, Professor
Phone Number: +334.66.68.69.98
Email: amandine.luquiens@chu-nimes.fr

Study Locations

France
- Gard
  - Nîmes, Gard, France, 30029
    - Chu de Nimes
    - Contact:
      
      Anissa MEGZARI
      
      Phone Number: + 33 4.66.68.30.09
      
      Email: drc@chu-nimes.fr
    - Principal Investigator:
      
      Amandine LUQUIENS, PU-PH

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

Adult
Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

The primary analysis population will include all participants who meet the inclusion criteria and who have completed the ICJE (Indice Canadien du jeu excessif= Canadian Excessive Gambling Index) score and the primary variables of interest (working hours and perceived downtime).

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Employed patients
Patients who have gambled at least once during the year
Patients who are willing to participate in the survey.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients who cannot read the French language

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Association between atypical working hours and time spent inactive at work and the ICJE (= Indice Canadien du jeu excessif = Canadian Problem Gambling Index) score Time Frame: Over a period of 2 months	The Canadian Problem Gambling Index assesses the prevalence of gambling and problem gambling in the general population and has been used in France since the first epidemiological survey on gambling. It contains indicators of social context and degrees of severity and the risk levels of gamblers are estimated based on self-assessed criteria. The index consists of 9 questions covering the last 12 months, answered using a Likert scale (never, sometimes, most of the time, almost always). Each player is assigned a score ranging from 0 to 27 points, depending on the severity of their gambling problems, which allows players to be categorized into four distinct groups: "low-risk gambler" (score = 0), "moderate-risk gambler" (score = 1-2), "moderate-risk gambler" (score = 3-7), and "excessive gambler" (score = 8 and above).	Over a period of 2 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
G. Links between perceived prescriptive gaming norms at work, atypical working hours, idle time and problem gambling. Time Frame: Over a period of 2 months	G. Interaction between the Gambling Attitudes and Injunctive Norms Scale scale score, the presence of atypical working hours (dichotomous variable "yes/no" + if "yes": categorical variable: working hour categories) and perceived inactivity time (continuous variable) on the ICJE score (continuous variable).The Gambling Attitudes and Injunctive Norms Scale (GAINS; Neighbors et al., 2007) was developed to examine relationships among injunctive norms and college student gambling. The 32-item scale consists of sixteen attitudinal items, asking participants about their approval or disapproval of students engaging in different gambling behaviors. Mean score for the sample on these items serves as the actual injunctive norms comparison. The remaining 16 perceived injunctive norms items ask "How do you think most college students feel about other students' gambling behavior?" The items consist of a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "Strongly Disapprove" to "Strongly Approve."	Over a period of 2 months
A. Links between boredom at work, atypical working hours, idle time, and problem gambling Time Frame: Over a period of 2 months	The DUBS (Dutch Boredom Scale) score will be used to evaluate the link between the presence of atypical working hours (dichotomous variable "yes/no" + if "yes": categorical variable: working hour categories) and perceived inactivity time (continuous variable) on the Canadian Problem Gambling Index score (continuous variable). The DUBS consists of 8 questions to be answered according to frequency in which 0 =Never, 1 = Almost Never, 2 = Sometimes, 3 = Often, 4 = Very Often, 5= Always. The higher the score, the greater the amount of boredom experienced.	Over a period of 2 months
B. Links between impulsivity, atypical working hours, idle time, and problem gambling. Time Frame: Over a period of 2 months	The UPPS-P (Urgency-Premeditation-Perseverance-Sensation Seeking-Positive) impulsive behavior scale score will be used to evaluate the link between atypical working hours (dichotomous variable "yes/no" + if "yes": categorical variable: working hour categories) and perceived downtime (continuous variable) on the ICJE score (continuous variable). The UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale is a 59-item self report scale to assess impulsive personality. The scale can be used with adults or adolescents (ages 13+) to identify the separate personality facets that have been previously lumped together under the term "impulsivity".	Over a period of 2 months
C. Links between emotional dysregulation, atypical working hours, idle time and problem gambling. Time Frame: Over a period of 2 months	Interaction between the score on the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) scale, the presence of atypical working hours (dichotomous variable "yes/no" + if "yes": categorical variable: working hour categories) and perceived downtime (continuous variable) on the ICJE score (continuous variable). The DERS is a 36-item a measure designed to assess clinically relevant difficulties in emotion regulation and provides valuable insights into an individual's ability to understand, accept, and manage emotions effectively. The 36 questions can be answered by Almost Never, Sometimes, About half the time, Most of the time or Almost always with scores ranging from 1 - 5 for each answer.	Over a period of 2 months
D. Links between anxiety, atypical working hours, idle time and problem gambling. Time Frame: Over a period of 2 months	Interaction between the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale score, the presence of atypical working hours (dichotomous variable "yes/no" + if "yes": categorical variable: working hour categories) and perceived downtime (continuous variable) on the ICJE score (continuous variable). The GAD 7 is an easy-to-perform initial screening tool for generalized anxiety disorder. Comprising seven items, the GAD-7 measures the frequency of anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks, with respondents rating each item on a scale from "not at all" to "nearly every day."	Over a period of 2 months
E. Links between depression, atypical working hours, idle time and problem gambling. Time Frame: Over a period of 2 months	Interaction between the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) 9 score, the presence of atypical working hours (dichotomous variable "yes/no" + if "yes": categorical variable: working hour categories) and perceived downtime (continuous variable) on the ICJE score (continuous variable)	Over a period of 2 months
F. Links between quality of life, atypical working hours, idle time and problem gambling. Time Frame: Over a period of 2 months	Interaction between the Gambling Quality of Life Scale -brief (GQoLS-Brief) brief scale score, the presence of atypical working hours (dichotomous variable "yes/no" + if "yes": categorical variable: working hour categories) and perceived inactivity time (continuous variable) on the ICJE score (continuous variable). The GQoLS -brief assesses the impact of gambling disorder (GD) on quality of life (QoL) and contains questions scored on a 4-point Likert scale.	Over a period of 2 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nīmes

Collaborators

Institut de Recherche en Santé Publique, France

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

July 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 3, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria