Health/functioning characteristics, gambling behaviors, and gambling-related motivations in adolescents stratified by gambling problem severity: findings from a high school survey.

Journal article

In adults, different levels of gambling problem severity are differentially associated with measures of health and general functioning, gambling behaviors, and gambling-related motivations. Here we present data from a survey of 2,484 Connecticut high school students, and investigate the data stratifying by gambling problem severity based on DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling. Problem/pathological gambling was associated with a range of negative functions; for example, poor academic performance, substance use, dysphoria/depression, and aggression. These findings suggest a need for improved interventions related to adolescent gambling and a need for additional research into the relationship (eg, mediating factors) between gambling and risk and protective behaviors.

Authors: Yip, S; Desai, R; Steinberg, M; Rugle, L; Cavallo, D

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: American journal on addictions / American Academy of Psychiatrists in Alcoholism and Addictions
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 495-508
• Publication date: 2011-01-01
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2011.00180.x
• EISSN: 1521-0391
• ISSN: 1055-0496
• Language: English
• Keywords: Motivation; Adolescent Behavior; Female; Age Factors; Schools; Male; Aggression; Prevalence; Students; Young Adult; Gambling; Educational Status; Connecticut; Humans; Substance-Related Disorders; Obesity; Adolescent; Health Surveys; Depression