Adolescent gambling and problem gambling: does the total consumption model apply?

Full Abstract

This study describes the extent and distribution of gambling among Norwegian adolescents. The study assesses whether gambling frequency and expenditures and prevalence of problem gambling are associated both at the individual and aggregate (school) level, and in particular whether the total consumption model applies to gambling behaviour. Data comprised a national representative sample of 11,637 13- to 19-year-old students in 73 schools (response rate 92.3%). The Lie/Bet Questionnaire and an additional DSM-criterion on chasing the losses were applied to assess problem gambling. A majority (78.5%) had gambled during the last year and 3.1% met all three criteria for problem gambling. Gambling frequency and expenditures were much higher among problem gamblers and increased proportionally with the degree of problem gambling. The 6.1% who scored on both Lie/Bet items accounted for 59% of all gambling expenditures on slot machines. Positive and significant correlations between various indicators of problem gambling and the overall amount of gambling at the aggregate (school) level imply that the higher the overall amount of gambling and gambling expenditures are, the higher the prevalence of problem gambling, which indicates that the total consumption model also applies to gambling behaviour among adolescents.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Hansen, Marianne (M); Rossow, Ingeborg (I);

Affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research, Sentrum, P.O. Box 565, Oslo 0105, Norway. mh(-atsign-)sirus.no

Journal and publication information

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

Journal: Journal of gambling studies / co-sponsored by the National Council on Problem Gambling and Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming (J Gambl Stud), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 24 (issue 2) : pp 135-49

Dates: Created 2008/03/10; Completed 2008/04/07;

PMID: 17955348, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior - psychology
Adult
Behavior, Addictive - diagnosis; epidemiology
Female
Gambling - psychology
Humans
Impulsive Behavior - diagnosis; epidemiology
Interpersonal Relations

Male
Models, Psychological
Norway - epidemiology
Prevalence
Questionnaires
Risk-Taking
Self Concept
Social Behavior
Students - statistics & numerical data

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.