A Descriptive Study of Gambling Among Emerging Adult Males in French-Speaking Switzerland

Peer and Parental Social Norms as Determinants of Gambling Initiation: A Prospective Study

PURPOSE

Despite the potential consequences of gambling during adolescence, the factors involved in the initiation of this behavior are relatively understudied. Using a longitudinal design, the present study analyzed the contribution of parental and peer norms to adolescent gambling initiation.

METHODS

A sample of 440 adolescent non-gamblers (50.9% males, mean_age = 14.85 [standard deviation = 1.41]) completed a baseline survey and a 1-year follow-up questionnaire. The baseline survey included assessments of perceived descriptive and injunctive norms from parents and peers, perceived parent and peer gambling severity, and susceptibility to peer pressure. A multivariate hierarchical logistic regression model was used to assess the contribution of baseline measures to adolescent gambling initiation at follow-up.

RESULTS

Of the 440 non-gamblers assessed at baseline, 160 (36.4%) reported initiating gambling at follow-up. All the peer factors were prospectively associated with gambling initiation, while only the perceived injunctive norms of parents were associated with initiation. Higher susceptibility to peer pressure, perceived gambling by peers, and peer and parental approval of gambling at baseline were associated with higher odds of adolescent gambling initiation at follow-up. In contrast, the likelihood of gambling initiation among adolescents decreased as the perception of peer gambling severity increased.

DISCUSSION

The identification of parental and peer factors associated with adolescent gambling initiation may provide support for relevant preventative interventions aimed at avoiding or delaying gambling initiation among adolescents. Specifically, to reduce the initiation of gambling, preventative programs should focus on helping adolescents to find strategies for resisting peer influences.

Annual Research Review: Emergence of problem gambling from childhood to emerging adulthood: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The risk for problematic gambling and associated high-risk behaviors is elevated during adolescence and emerging adulthood. Activities with gambling-like features and novel forms of gambling may place youth at an increased risk for problem gambling.

AIM AND METHOD

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the association between both activities with gambling-like features and novel gambling activities and problem gambling among youth while examining the role of psychopathology and cognitive processes. Six databases (PsychINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, Social Work Abstracts, Technology Collection, and Scopus) were searched in November 2021 for peer-reviewed articles investigating the association between the aforementioned variables among youth up to the age of 25 years. Risk of bias was assessed using the Observational Study Quality Evaluation.

FINDINGS

Forty-five articles were included in the review. Positive associations were observed between engagement in activities with gambling-like features (e.g., video games, social casino games, loot boxes) and problem gambling. Increased involvement with novel forms of gambling (e.g., online sports betting, fantasy sports, and esports betting) were also associated with a greater risk for problematic gambling. Males reported higher rates of engagement in these activities and a greater risk of problem gambling than females. Impulsivity, risk taking, cognitive distortions, and specific emotional vulnerabilities were associated with an increased risk of problem gambling.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the need for additional longitudinal research controlling for relevant confounders, these findings underline how engagement in activities with gambling-like features are relevant in the developmental trajectory toward problem gambling.

Offline and Online Gambling in a Swiss Emerging-Adult Male Population

Faced with the rapid expansion of the online gambling offer, a growing number of jurisdictions around the world are developing legislation to regulate online gambling. The new Swiss Act on gambling extends legalization of online gambling from already authorized lottery-type to casino-type gambling. In this context, the present study examines offline and online gambling behaviors in emerging-adult males as a particularly at-risk population for gambling addiction. A sample of 1,869 young males completed a questionnaire assessing offline and online gambling behaviors as well as severity of problem gambling. Results show that 62.1% of the respondents were lifetime gamblers while 46.7% were past-year gamblers. Among the latter, 76.4% had gambled only within offline venues, 21.4% had gambled at both offline and online sites, and 2.2% had gambled online only. Furthermore, 17.6% of past-year gamblers were at moderate-risk of developing problem gambling whilst 3.6% were problem gamblers. Association analysis showed that, compared to non-problem gamblers, at-risk and problem gamblers played online at higher rates. These findings contribute to the growing literature on youth gambling behaviors and on offline-online transitions. In the context of the growing online gambling supply, the evolution of youth gambling behaviors should be monitored through periodical assessments.

Lottery-Purchasing Adolescents: Gambling Perceptions, Problems, and Characteristics

Gambling on the lottery is a prevalent behavior, and lottery products are increasingly available in online and electronic formats. As lottery-purchasing is prevalent in adolescents, this study systematically examined relationships between lottery-purchasing and problem-gambling severity and gambling perceptions and attitudes, as well as differences in the relationships between problem-gambling severity and measures of health/functioning and gambling characteristics among lottery-purchasing groups. Participants were 1517 Connecticut high-school adolescents with past-year gambling. Chi-square and logistic regression models were conducted, and interactions between problem-gambling severity and lottery-purchasing status on multiple outcomes were determined. Lottery-purchasing, compared to non-lottery-purchasing, adolescents had greater problem-gambling severity and reported more permissive gambling attitudes and greater parental approval of gambling. Significant between-group differences were observed, with at-risk/problem-gambling more strongly associated with having friends and adult gambling partners among non-lottery-purchasing adolescents, and machine and online gambling, and gambling alone more strongly associated among lottery-purchasing adolescents. Greater problem-gambling severity, permissive gambling attitudes, and parental approval of gambling in lottery-purchasing adolescents suggest that parenting contexts are important considerations in prevention efforts targeting problem gambling in youths. Between-group differences in associations between problem-gambling severity and gambling types and partners may identify high-risk groups associated with more solitary gambling behaviors for whom targeted interventions may be adapted.

The Mediating Role of Spirituality on Depression, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Problem Gambling Among Korean College Students: A Multiple-Mediation Analysis

ABSTRACT

Excessive alcohol use and gambling problems among Korean college students in Korea have been recognized as significant public health issues. The purpose of this study was to identify the direct, indirect, and total influence of depression on alcohol use disorder and problem gambling to determine relative magnitudes of the specific mediating effects of spirituality. A cross-sectional correlational survey was conducted in South Korea with 239 college students. Study variables included the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, a Spirituality Scale for Koreans, the Alcohol Consumption Questions, and the Korean version of the Canadian Problem Gambling Severity Index. Multiple-mediation analyses were performed. The results found that depression has a negative effect on each of the six subgroups of spirituality. In terms of the effects of spirituality on alcohol use disorder and problem gambling, spirituality was found to have a positive effect only on alcohol use disorder. The relationship between depression and those two addictive behaviors was significantly mediated by spirituality. Bootstrapping revealed that transcendence and connectedness were significantly mediating the relationship between depression and alcohol use disorder. For problem gambling, compassion and connectedness were found to be mediators affecting the relationship between depression and problem gambling. The finding suggests that spirituality's subscales affect two specific addiction problems in different ways. College students' excessive drinking and problem gambling can be prevented by developing and applying an intervention program that strengthens the connectedness of spirituality's subscales.

Efficacy of a web-based self-help tool to reduce problem gambling in Switzerland: study protocol of a two-armed randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

The past-year prevalence of problem gambling worldwide averages 2.3%. Switzerland exhibits a slightly lower past-year prevalence rate, of 1.1%, among adults. Only a minority of these adults attend outpatient treatment. Surveyed problem gamblers have explained that they wanted to handle the problem on their own. The option of a web-based self-help programme could potentially reach those users who hesitate to approach treatment centres and help them to reduce or stop their problem gambling. The effectiveness of such web-based interventions has been shown in other countries.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This two-armed randomised controlled trial (RCT) will examine the efficacy of a web-based self-help intervention, relative to an active control condition with a self-help manual, at reducing problem gambling. The active intervention programme, spanning 8 weeks, consists of nine modules developed to reduce gambling and attenuate psychopathological comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and stress-related disorder symptoms, relying on motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy. With a target sample size of 352, questionnaire data will be collected at baseline, and at 8 and 24 weeks after baseline. Primary outcomes will be the number of days one has gambled in the last 30 days. Secondary outcomes will include money and time spent on gambling activities, changes in gambling-related problems (Problem Gambling Severity Index, Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale), use of alcohol and cigarettes, and psychopathological comorbidity. All data analysis will comply with the intention-to-treat principle.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The RCT will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki; the consort eHealth Guidelines for studies on medical devices; the European Directive on medical devices 93/42/EEC, Swiss Law and Swiss Regulatory Authority requirements. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Canton of Zurich. Results will be published in a scientific peer-reviewed journal. Participants will be informed via e-mail about study results via a lay-person-friendly summary of trial findings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Current Controlled Trials registry (ISRCTN16339434).

Gambling and problem gambling in Switzerland

AIMS

To provide an overview of gambling and problem gambling in Switzerland, including historical aspects, past and current legislation and policies, treatment options and the research base.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted on two databases (PubMed and PsycINFO), and official government and statistical reports selected from the official websites of four sources (Federal Office of Justice; Federal Gambling Board; Federal Office of Statistics; Swiss Lottery and Betting Board).

RESULTS

After a history of banning or partial banning, Swiss gambling became regulated at the beginning of the 20th century through successive laws. The current system is characterized by important differences in the law and policies for casinos and lotteries, and contradictions in the regulation of these two areas are still under debate in order to develop new legislation. Gambling is widespread in Switzerland, and the prevalence of problem gambling in this country was comparable to that in other European countries in 2014. Most gambling treatment facilities are integrated into mental health treatment services that have out-patient programmes, and treatment for problem gambling is covered by a universal compulsory Swiss health insurance system. The availability of public funding for gambling research is still limited.

CONCLUSIONS

Switzerland needs to develop a more coherent regulatory and prevention policy approach to gambling, overcoming conflicts in the current dual system of federal and cantonal regulation. Recent efforts to enhance funding for gambling research are promising, and could lead to a more systematic analysis of the efficacy of prevention and treatment programmes.