This study examines the development of gambling disorder among young migrants in Germany, focusing on the interaction between migration-related experiences and social contexts. The study adopts a qualitative, practice-based exploratory design, drawing on anonymized composite case vignettes derived from professional counseling practice in the fields of family and gambling disorder support.
The empirical material consists of analytically condensed case representations reflecting three predominant migration constellations in Germany: marriage migration, forced migration, and second-generation migration. The data were analyzed using an inductive thematic approach, informed by sociological and psychological theories, including acculturation stress, stigma, social exclusion, and behavioral addiction models.
The findings identify five central mechanisms shaping gambling trajectories among young migrants: migration-related vulnerability, the social embedding of gambling practices, the increasing role of digital gambling environments, escalation dynamics, and the emergence of debt, shame, and social withdrawal. Gambling behavior emerges not only as a coping strategy in response to psychosocial stressors such as discrimination, unemployment, and identity conflicts, but also as a socially embedded practice that provides temporary inclusion and recognition.
This study contributes to existing research by offering a practice-based qualitative perspective that complements predominantly quantitative findings. It highlights the importance of culturally sensitive prevention and intervention strategies, particularly in addressing barriers related to stigma, language, and institutional trust. The findings underline the need for integrated approaches that connect social policy, public health, and community-based support structures.
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