Skip to main content
Top
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Research article

Problem gambling in adolescents: what are the psychological, social and financial consequences?

Authors: Goran Livazović, Karlo Bojčić

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2019

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

The paper examines the roles of sociodemographic traits, family quality and risk behaviour in adolescent problem gambling, with focus on the psychological, social and financial consequences from the socio-ecological model approach. This model emphasizes the most important risk-protective factors in the development and maintenance of problem gambling on an individual level, a relationship level, as well as a community and societal level.

Methods

The research was done using the Canadian Adolescent Gambling Inventory with a sample of 366 participants, 239 females (65.3%) using descriptive statistics and t-test, ANOVA, correlation and hierarchical regression analysis.

Results

Males reported significantly higher gambling consequences on all scales (p < .001) and significantly more risk behaviour (p < .05). Age was significant for psychological consequences (p < .01), problem gambling (p < .01) and risk behaviour (p < .001) with older participants scoring higher. Students with lower school success reported significantly higher psychological consequences of gambling (p < .01), higher risk behaviour activity (p < .001) and lower family life satisfaction (p < .001). The psychological, financial and social consequences were positively correlated with problem gambling (p < .001). Age (p < .05), gender (p < .001), school success (p < .01) and the father’s education level (p. < 05) were significant predictors of problem gambling, with older male adolescents who struggle academically and have lower educated fathers being at greater risk.

Conclusions

Results indicate an important relation between adolescent gambling behaviour and very serious psychological, social and financial consequences. There is a constellation of risk factors that likely place certain individuals at high risk for problem gambling.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Dahlberg LL, Krug EG. Violence: a global public health problem. In: Krug EG, Dahlberg LL, Mercy JA, Zwi AB, Lozano R, editors. World report on violence and health. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2002. p. 1–56. Dahlberg LL, Krug EG. Violence: a global public health problem. In: Krug EG, Dahlberg LL, Mercy JA, Zwi AB, Lozano R, editors. World report on violence and health. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2002. p. 1–56.
3.
go back to reference Shead N, Derevensky JL, Gupta R. Risk and protective factors associated with youth problem gambling. Int J Adolesc Med Health. 2010;22(1):39–58.PubMed Shead N, Derevensky JL, Gupta R. Risk and protective factors associated with youth problem gambling. Int J Adolesc Med Health. 2010;22(1):39–58.PubMed
4.
go back to reference Derevensky J. Teen gambling: understanding a growing epidemic. New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishing; 2012. Derevensky J. Teen gambling: understanding a growing epidemic. New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishing; 2012.
6.
go back to reference Neal PN, Delfabbro PH, O'Neil MG. Problem gambling and harm: towards a national definition. Office of Gaming and Racing, Victorian Government Department of Justice: Melbourne; 2005. Neal PN, Delfabbro PH, O'Neil MG. Problem gambling and harm: towards a national definition. Office of Gaming and Racing, Victorian Government Department of Justice: Melbourne; 2005.
10.
go back to reference Jacobs DF. Youth gambling in North America. In: Derevensky J, Gupta R, editors. Gambling problems in youth: theoretical and applied perspectives. New York: Springer US; 2005. p. 1–24. Jacobs DF. Youth gambling in North America. In: Derevensky J, Gupta R, editors. Gambling problems in youth: theoretical and applied perspectives. New York: Springer US; 2005. p. 1–24.
14.
go back to reference Derevensky JL, Gilbeau L. Adolescent gambling: twenty-five years of research. Can J Addict. 2015;6(2):4–12. Derevensky JL, Gilbeau L. Adolescent gambling: twenty-five years of research. Can J Addict. 2015;6(2):4–12.
22.
go back to reference Weinstock J, Petry NM. Pathological gambling college Students' perceived social support. J Coll Stud Dev. 2008;49(6):625–32.PubMedPubMedCentral Weinstock J, Petry NM. Pathological gambling college Students' perceived social support. J Coll Stud Dev. 2008;49(6):625–32.PubMedPubMedCentral
23.
go back to reference Nower L, Blaszczynski A. A pathways approach to treating youth gamblers. In: Derevensky J, Gupta R, editors. Gambling problems in youth: theoretical and applied perspectives. New York: Springer US; 2005. p. 189–209. Nower L, Blaszczynski A. A pathways approach to treating youth gamblers. In: Derevensky J, Gupta R, editors. Gambling problems in youth: theoretical and applied perspectives. New York: Springer US; 2005. p. 189–209.
24.
go back to reference Derevensky J, Temcheff C, Gupta R. Treatment of adolescent gambling problems: more art than science? In: Derevensky J, Shek DTL, Merrick J, editors. Youth gambling: the hidden addiction. Boston: De Gruyter; 2011. p. 167–86. Derevensky J, Temcheff C, Gupta R. Treatment of adolescent gambling problems: more art than science? In: Derevensky J, Shek DTL, Merrick J, editors. Youth gambling: the hidden addiction. Boston: De Gruyter; 2011. p. 167–86.
27.
go back to reference Stinchfield R. Demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors associated with youth gambling and problem gambling. In: Derevensky J, Gupta R, editors. Gambling problems in youth: theoretical and applied perspectives. New York: Springer US; 2005. p. 27–39. Stinchfield R. Demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors associated with youth gambling and problem gambling. In: Derevensky J, Gupta R, editors. Gambling problems in youth: theoretical and applied perspectives. New York: Springer US; 2005. p. 27–39.
29.
go back to reference Zangeneh M, Grunfeld A, Koenig S. Individual factors in the development and maintenance of problem gambling. In: Zangeneh M, Blaszczynski A, Turner NE, editors. In the pursuit of winning: problem gambling theory, research and treatment. New York: Springer; 2008. p. 83–94. Zangeneh M, Grunfeld A, Koenig S. Individual factors in the development and maintenance of problem gambling. In: Zangeneh M, Blaszczynski A, Turner NE, editors. In the pursuit of winning: problem gambling theory, research and treatment. New York: Springer; 2008. p. 83–94.
36.
go back to reference Ajduković M, Kolesarić V. Etički kodeks istraživanja s djecom. Zagreb: Vijeće za djecu Vlade Republike Hrvatske, Državni zavod za zaštitu obitelji, materinstva i mladeži; 2003. Ajduković M, Kolesarić V. Etički kodeks istraživanja s djecom. Zagreb: Vijeće za djecu Vlade Republike Hrvatske, Državni zavod za zaštitu obitelji, materinstva i mladeži; 2003.
41.
go back to reference Eckstrom C. Adolescent gambling study. Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission: Lethbridge; 1996. Eckstrom C. Adolescent gambling study. Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission: Lethbridge; 1996.
49.
go back to reference Shaffer HJ, Hall MN, Vander Bilt JV. Estimating the prevalence of disordered gambling in the United States and Canada: a meta-analysis. Cambridge: Harvard Medical School Division of Addictions; 1997. Shaffer HJ, Hall MN, Vander Bilt JV. Estimating the prevalence of disordered gambling in the United States and Canada: a meta-analysis. Cambridge: Harvard Medical School Division of Addictions; 1997.
54.
go back to reference Di Nicola M, Ferri VR, Moccia L, Panaccione I, Strangio AM, Tedeschi D, Grandinetti P, Callea A, De-Giorgio F, Martinotti G, Janiri L. Gender differences and psychopathological features associated with addictive behaviors in adolescents. Front Psychiatry. 2017; https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00256. Di Nicola M, Ferri VR, Moccia L, Panaccione I, Strangio AM, Tedeschi D, Grandinetti P, Callea A, De-Giorgio F, Martinotti G, Janiri L. Gender differences and psychopathological features associated with addictive behaviors in adolescents. Front Psychiatry. 2017; https://​doi.​org/​10.​3389/​fpsyt.​2017.​00256.
55.
go back to reference Livazović G, Bojčić K. Povezanost sociodemografskih obilježja, rizičnih stilova ponašanja i sklonosti kockanju adolescenata/the connection between sociodemographic features, risk behavioural styles and tendencies of adolescent gambling. Život i škola. 2017;63(1):137–50 Available at: https://hrcak.srce.hr/193887. Accessed 1 Mar 2018. Livazović G, Bojčić K. Povezanost sociodemografskih obilježja, rizičnih stilova ponašanja i sklonosti kockanju adolescenata/the connection between sociodemographic features, risk behavioural styles and tendencies of adolescent gambling. Život i škola. 2017;63(1):137–50 Available at: https://​hrcak.​srce.​hr/​193887. Accessed 1 Mar 2018.
57.
go back to reference Mutti-Packer S, Hodgins DC, El Guebaly N, Casey DM, Currie SR, Williams RJ, Smith GJ, Schopflocher DP. Problem Gambling Symptomatology and Alcohol Misuse Among Adolescents: A Parallel-Process Latent Growth Curve Model. Psychol Addict Behav. 2017; https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000261.PubMed Mutti-Packer S, Hodgins DC, El Guebaly N, Casey DM, Currie SR, Williams RJ, Smith GJ, Schopflocher DP. Problem Gambling Symptomatology and Alcohol Misuse Among Adolescents: A Parallel-Process Latent Growth Curve Model. Psychol Addict Behav. 2017; https://​doi.​org/​10.​1037/​adb0000261.PubMed
58.
go back to reference Gonzalez-Roz A, Fernandez-Hermida J, Weidberg S, Martınez-Loredo V, Secades-Villa R. Prevalence of problem gambling among adolescents: a comparison across modes of access, gambling activities, and levels of severity. J Gambl Stud. 2017; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9652-4. Gonzalez-Roz A, Fernandez-Hermida J, Weidberg S, Martınez-Loredo V, Secades-Villa R. Prevalence of problem gambling among adolescents: a comparison across modes of access, gambling activities, and levels of severity. J Gambl Stud. 2017; https://​doi.​org/​10.​1007/​s10899-016-9652-4.
67.
go back to reference Dodig D, Ricijaš N. Obilježja kockanja zagrebačkih adolescenata. Ljetopis socijalnog rada. 2011;18(1):103–25. Dodig D, Ricijaš N. Obilježja kockanja zagrebačkih adolescenata. Ljetopis socijalnog rada. 2011;18(1):103–25.
75.
77.
go back to reference Hardoon K, Derevensky JL, Gupta R. Empirical measures vs. perceived gambling severity among youth: why adolescent gamblers fail to seek treatment. Addict Behav. 2003;28:933–46.PubMed Hardoon K, Derevensky JL, Gupta R. Empirical measures vs. perceived gambling severity among youth: why adolescent gamblers fail to seek treatment. Addict Behav. 2003;28:933–46.PubMed
83.
go back to reference Ferland F, Ladouceur R, Vitaro F. Prevention of problem gambling: modifying misconceptions and increasing knowledge. J Gambl Stud. 2002;18(1):19–29.PubMed Ferland F, Ladouceur R, Vitaro F. Prevention of problem gambling: modifying misconceptions and increasing knowledge. J Gambl Stud. 2002;18(1):19–29.PubMed
84.
go back to reference Gaboury A, Ladouceur R. Evaluation of a prevention program for pathological gambling among adolescents. J Prim Prev. 1993;14:21–8.PubMed Gaboury A, Ladouceur R. Evaluation of a prevention program for pathological gambling among adolescents. J Prim Prev. 1993;14:21–8.PubMed
Metadata
Title
Problem gambling in adolescents: what are the psychological, social and financial consequences?
Authors
Goran Livazović
Karlo Bojčić
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2293-2

Other articles of this Issue 1/2019

BMC Psychiatry 1/2019 Go to the issue