Abstract
BackgroundThe 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.MethodsThe 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.ResultsMales 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.ConclusionsResults 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.
Highlights
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 socioecological model approach
In this article, we present a socio-ecological analysis of significant sociodemographic, family, school and gambling related factors predicting problem gambling among adolescents, as well as the most important empirical conclusions based on survey results with 366 participants, with special focus on the role of psychological, social and financial consequences, as well as riskprotective factors related to sociodemographic traits
Our results show that playing cards, dares and challenges or skills represent the most prevalent adolescent gambling activities (Table 3), while 6.6% (N = 24) of them bet regularly in sports betting houses and 5.8% (N = 21) do it online, 3% (N = 11) regularly bet on casino slot machines and 3.6% (N = 13) bet on live casino games, and 6.9% (N = 25) bet on casino games online (Table 1)
Summary
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 socioecological 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. Current frameworks conceptualise problem gambling across a risk continuum [5], as the term describes gambling behaviour that results in adverse consequences for individuals, families and communities [6] These consequences can range from impaired mental health, physical health, relationship and family dysfunction, to financial problems, employment difficulties and legal issues [7]. Family life satisfaction (cohesion) and the quality of school affiliation, as indicators of social bonding, have been identified as protective factors in relation to youth gambling problems [13, 14, 30]
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