Psychosocial correlates of problem gambling in Australian students.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
This study examined the relationship between problem gambling and psychological and social adjustment in Australian adolescents.

METHOD:
A sample of 926 adolescents (mean age = 14.46 years) in the Australian Capital Territory were administered a standardized series of measures relating to gambling and psychosocial adjustment. Young people were asked to indicate how often they gambled, to report any difficulties that they might have been experiencing with gambling, and to complete a variety of measures of psychosocial health, including:
the GHQ-12, Rosenberg's self-esteem scale and other measures of social functioning.

RESULTS:
The results were generally consistent with previous international studies. Those adolescents classified as problem gamblers were found to have poorer scores on all psychosocial measures. Although many in the problem gambling group reported being part of a socially active peer group, they also reported being more alienated and unpopular among their classmates.

CONCLUSIONS:
The results suggest that problem gambling appears to be a significant risk factor for poorer mental health among Australia adolescents. Given previous adult research indicating a link between early gambling and long-term gambling problems and poorer life outcomes (e.g. Abbott, McKenna and Giles, 2000 in New Zealand), these findings suggest a need to enhance existing educational initiatives and services specifically designed to assist adolescents with gambling problems.

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Author information

Author/s: Delfabbro, Paul (P); Lahn, Julie (J); Grabosky, Peter (P);

Affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia. paul.delfabbro(-atsign-)psychology.adelaide.edu.au

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry (Aust N Z J Psychiatry), published in Australia. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2006 Jun-Jul; vol 40 (issue 6-7) : pp 587-95

Dates: Created 2006/06/07; Completed 2006/11/09; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16756585, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology
Australia - epidemiology
Catchment Area (Health)
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Female
Gambling - psychology
Humans
Impulse Control Disorders - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology
Leisure Activities

Male
Mass Screening - methods
Mental Health Services - utilization
Peer Group
Prevalence
Psychology
Questionnaires
Self Concept
Social Behavior
Students - psychology; statistics & numerical data

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