Adolescent pathological gambling in Kaunas, Lithuania

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the first survey of pathological gambling among adolescents in Kaunas, Lithuania. The results indicated that a large majority of adolescent (82.6%) have engaged in a variety of gambling activities. Although most respondents were classified as “occasional gamblers”, there were significantly more females than males who were occasional gamblers and non-gamblers, and significantly more males than females who were regular gamblers. More adolescents surveyed had gambled on Tele-Lotto than on any other gambling activity. Based on Diagnostic statistical manual-IV-Multiple Response-Adapted for Juveniles, 4.2% of participants were categorized as pathological gamblers, with a further 9.1% classified as at-risk gamblers, 69.4% as social gamblers, and 17.3% as non-gamblers. Based on South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents, 5.2% (n=43) of participants were categorized as pathological gamblers, with a further 10.5% (n=88) classified as at-risk gamblers, 67% (n=559) as social gamblers, and 17.3% (n=145) as non-gamblers. The commonest reason given by adolescents for gambling were “enjoyment”, “a chance to try luck” and “to win money”; however, the top reasons reported for pathological gambling were “to relax”, “to distract myself from problems” and “to improve mood”. Male gender, cognitive distortions regarding gambling, having parents who gamble and gamble too excess, using alcohol regularly, and smoking regularly were characteristics significantly associated with pathological gambling in adolescence.