
Rina GuptaMcGill University | McGill · International Centre for Youth Gambling and High-Risk Behaviors
Rina Gupta
Ph.D. Child Psychology
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107
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Introduction
Additional affiliations
January 1996 - December 2012
Publications
Publications (107)
The present research examined the mechanisms of initiating online gambling among young adults. Of particular interest was whether social casino gaming was noted as part of young adults’ experience with online gambling. This is because there is growing concern that social casino gaming may be a ‘gateway’ to online gambling. Three focus groups (N = 2...
The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the concept of negative anticipated emotions (NAE) 2 have attracted research attention in the formulation of effective preventive interventions. This 3 approach has identified several key constructs of the TPB (i.e., intentions, attitudes, subjective 4 norms, perceptions of behavioural control) and NAE as v...
The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the concept of negative anticipated emotions (NAEs) have attracted research attention in the formulation of effective preventive interventions. This approach has identified several key constructs of the TPB (i.e., intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, perceptions of behavioural control) and NAEs as valid...
Background and aims
The potential link between social casino gaming and online gambling has raised considerable concerns among clinicians, researchers and policy makers. Unfortunately, however, there is a paucity of research examining this potential link, especially among young adults. This represents a significant gap given young adults are freque...
Social casino games (i.e., free-to-play online gambling games) are enjoyed by millions of players worldwide on a daily basis. Despite being free to play, social casino games share many similarities to traditional casino games. As such, concerns have been raised as to whether social casino games influences the migration to online gambling among peop...
Given its serious implications for psychological and socio-emotional health, the prevention of problem gambling among adolescents is increasingly acknowledged as an area requiring attention. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) is a well-established model of behavior change that has been studied in the development and evaluation of primary preventi...
Adolescent problem gambling is acknowledged as a public health concern. To better understand adolescent gambling and problem gambling behaviour, the present study investigated the relationships between psychological correlates of gambling frequency and problem gambling using an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB; i.e. intentions, attitudes,...
Introduction: While the prevalence of problem gambling among adolescents is well established, the reasons these youths choose to gamble or gamble excessively are not entirely understood. The theory of planned behaviour is one model that has attracted increasing research attention for describing young adult gambling and disordered gambling behaviour...
Studieshaveshownthatmentalhealthserviceproviderperceptionsofproblemsand knowledge of resources are among the largest determinants of service provision and referral. The current study aims at exploring mental health professionals’ awareness of, attitudes towards and beliefs regarding high-risk behaviors in youth, including gambling. Child psy- cholo...
Although the prevalence of problem gambling among adolescents is well established, the reasons these youths choose to gamble or gamble excessively are not entirely understood. The theory of planned behaviour is one model that has attracted increasing research attention for describing young adult gambling and problem gambling behaviour. However, no...
Despite legislative prohibitions, there is empirical evidence that youth gamble on both regulated and unregulated activities. The current survey was designed to assess teachers' awareness and attitudes regarding adolescent gambling and other high-risk behaviours. Three-hundred and ninety teachers from Ontario and Quebec, with experience teaching st...
This study explores the additive (i.e., risk or compensatory) or moderating (i.e., protective or exacerbating) role of individual resources (social bonding, personal competence, and social competence) and environmental risk (family, peers, and neighborhood) in regard to the association between established personal risk attributes (i.e., impulsivity...
The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the concept of anticipatory regret have attracted considerable research attention in the formulation of effective preventive interventions. This approach has identified several key constructs of the TPB (i.e., attitudes, subjective norms, perceptions of control) and anticipation of negative emotions as vali...
While previous research has suggested the potential importance of gambling outcome expectancies in determining gambling behaviour among adolescents, the predictive ability of gambling outcome expectancies has not yet been clearly delineated for college-aged youth. The current study aims to explore the relationships between gender and outcome expect...
This research tests the applicability of the Integrated Pathways Model for gambling to adolescent problem gamblers, utilizing a cross-sectional design and self-report questionnaires. Although the overall sample consisted of 1,133 adolescents (Quebec: n = 994, 87.7 %; Ontario: n = 139, 12.3 %: Male = 558, 49.5 %; Female = 569, 50.5 %), only problem...
There is a current lack of descriptive information on college students who gamble on the Internet. With the increasing popularity of Internet gambling, this study aimed to better understand the profile of Internet gamblers among a sample of college students. Of 909 students at the University of California-Los Angeles who completed an online survey,...
Despite legal prohibitions to restrict the availability of lottery products to minors, research shows a high prevalence of lottery playing among adolescents. This study examined factors influencing vendor compliance with minimum-age legislation to better understand how underage youth acquire lottery products. To provide perspective, accessibility t...
Children and adolescents are at increased risk of developing gambling problems compared to adults. A review of successful
prevention campaigns targeting drinking and driving, smoking, unprotected sex, and drug use suggests that public service announcements
(PSAs) featuring celebrity spokespersons have strong potential for raising awareness of the r...
In the wake of rapid expansion of legal gambling internationally, studies of adolescent gambling involvement and problem gambling prevalence have been carried out in numerous jurisdictions. This paper reviews adolescent gambling prevalence studies that have been carried out in North America, Europe, and Oceania. Based on this review, work is clearl...
Childhood maltreatment has been thought to be a significant risk factor in the development of gambling problems. Incorporating
a developmental psychopathology perspective, 1,324 adolescents and young adults, age 17–22years completed self-report measures
on gambling behaviors, gambling severity, and childhood maltreatment. Problem gamblers reported...
Two focus groups conducted with adolescents and young adults in a residential drug treatment facility yield some intriguing information about binge gambling, a relatively unexplored pattern of pathological gambling. Participants discussed the ways in which binge gambling may occur in relation to their drug habits, as a way to raise funds for the pu...
Gli ultimi 10 anni hanno testimoniato un rinnovato interesse per gli aspetti negativi del gioco d’azzardo. Commissioni nazionali
in Australia, Nuova Zelanda, Regno Unito e Stati Uniti hanno iniziato a esaminare i benefici economici e i costi sociali dell’espansione
del gioco d’azzardo. Contemporaneamente, i ricercatori hanno intrapreso un processo...
Risk factors for youth gambling problems are best understood within an ecological model recognizing the interwoven relationship that exists between the individual and their environment. Empirical studies covering individual, relationship, community, and societal factors associated with adolescent gambling problems are reviewed. The cumulative body...
Based upon a previous qualitative study a questionnaire ascertaining adolescents’ awareness of gambling advertisements and
their impact upon their behavior was developed and administered to 1,147 youth between the ages of 12 and 19. The findings
suggest that almost all youth report being exposed to advertising with many individuals indicating being...
This chapter is designed to provide an overview of what is currently understood about thecorrelates, risk factors, and protective factors associated with youth gambling and problem gambling, as well as to touch upon prevention and treatment considerations. While the chapter does not elaborate upon how to treat youth with multiple addictions, it is...
Analyzing data from a representative sample of 20,739 U.S. college student-athletes, this study sought to determine whether certain student-athletes were more prone to frequent or problem gambling behavior. Relative to other studies of college students, a lower percentage of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student-athletes reported...
Once conceived of as an adult activity, more and more youth are engaging in diverse forms of gambling. The present study examined age and gender differences in adolescents’ attitudes toward gambling among 1,408 students in elementary and secondary schools. Participants ranging in age from 8 to 20 in Quebec and Ontario, Canada completed the Attitude...
This study examined the relationship between several pre-examined risk factors for youth problem gambling, a number of potential protective factors for youth problem gambling, and the development of adolescent problem gambling. The sample consisted of 2179 students, ages 11–19. The results of analyses of variance revealed that lower family and scho...
Data were collected for 1998 middle/high-school students in Ontario to assess involvement in gambling, substance use, and generalized risky behavior. To predict these outcomes, measures for anxiety, family cohesion, and coping style were also administered. Three a-priori models were posited to account for the impact of risk factors, protective fact...
Research examining cognitive perceptions among children has suggested the importance of perceived skill and luck in initiating and maintaining gambling behavior. Using an experimentally manipulated gambling paradigm modifying rates of reinforcement the results suggest, in general, that one can modify these cognitions. More importantly, the results...
Adolescence has been typically described as a developmental stage during which risky behaviors are common. Although considerable attention has been paid to high-profile risky behaviors, including alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, and smoking, little attention has focused on adolescent problem gambling. Given the DSM criteria of problem gamb...
The authors examined the national prevalence of gambling problems and sports wagering among US college student-athletes.
A national sample of 20,739 student-athletes participated in the study.
The authors used data from the first national survey of gambling among college athletes, conducted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Men (62.4...
Data from five recent studies using self-reports were merged to explore gender differences in the characteristics of adolescent problem gambling, including comorbidity with other youth problems. The sample consisted of 2,750 male and 2,563 female participants. Male problem gamblers were more likely than females to report signs of psychological diff...
The study of resilient children has overturned many deficit-focused models concerning the ontogenesis of children raised in adversity. This study explored the relationship between risk and protective factors, resilience, and youth gambling behavior. More specifically, this study examined the relative contribution of various risk and protective doma...
To examine prevalence and associations of gambling problems and health risk behaviors among college athletes from the first national survey of gambling among U.S. college student-athletes.
Conducted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), this self-administered and anonymous survey collected information from a nationally representat...
Gambling researchers have often reported that research in the field of gambling remains in its infancy compared with other
addictive behaviors. Twelveyears ago Dr. Mark Griffiths’ seminal research on understanding adolescent gambling and problem
gambling behaviors was published. Today, adolescent gambling research is no longer in its infancy. Resea...
This study investigated whether the prevalence of weekly and problem gambling among youth varied according to cultural affiliation. A convenience sample of 1,265 Quebec high school students aged 12-18 was divided into three linguistic groupings: Anglophone (English), Francophone (French), and Allophone (other). Results revealed that the Allophone g...
The Gambling Expectancy Questionnaire (GEQ; Gillespie, Derevensky & Gupta, 2006, previous article) suggests that adolescents hold a variety of positive and negative outcome expectancies related to gambling. Significant age, gender, and DSM-IV-MR-J gambling group differences were identified on the scales of the GEQ (i.e., enjoyment/arousal, self-enh...
Positive and negative outcome expectancies have been found to play a significant role in adolescents' decisions to engage in drug and alcohol use. In light of the parallel risk and protective factors among high-risk behaviors, youth gambling outcome expectancies were explored through the development of the 23-item Gambling Expectancy Questionnaire...
While there is a growing body of research concerning risk, protective and psycho-social correlates associated with youth gambling and problem gambling, our conceptualisation and measurement of adolescent problem gambling has not evolved to the same extent. This paper highlights our current understanding and measurement of adolescent problem gamblin...
The central variables of stress, coping, and gambling severity were examined along three lines of inquiry. The first addressed whether adolescents with gambling problems reported a greater number of minor or major stressful (i.e., negative) life events relative to others. The second examined whether more with gambling problems employed less-effecti...
Eight hundred and seventeen high school students in the Montreal region completed the DSM-IV-J diagnostic gambling measure, High School Personality Questionnaire (HSPQ), Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS), along with a gambling questionnaire ascertaining gambling participation and gambling-related behaviours. Eight of fourteen personality fact...
Gambling is a risky behaviour that involves uncertain financial outcomes, can be addictive, and has been associated with strongly adverse social and public health outcomes. We wanted to assess whether socio-economic and gambling-related-opportunity environments of neighbourhoods affected the uptake of video lottery terminal (VLT) gambling among Mon...
The relationship between anxiety, social stress, substance use, and gambling behavior was examined in a sample of 1,044 high school students from grades 7–11. Adolescents completed several instruments assessing their state, trait, and generalized anxiety, social stress, substance use, and gambling behavior. Results reveal that probable pathological...
Despite the negative impact that problem gambling poses on individuals and society there have been few gambling prevention campaigns specifically targeting youth. The authors review the literature on past and current drug, alcohol, and tobacco use prevention media campaigns, examining the similarities across 25 health communication programs with th...
Despite the increasing body of literature that supports the connection between adolescent gambling and risk-taking behavior, participation in criminal or delinquent acts has not been thoroughly addressed. With the established relationship between substance abuse and juvenile delinquency, past research and prevention, intervention, and treatment pro...
Problem gambling has recently emerged as a significant public health issue. While most efforts target adult pathological gamblers, there is growing concern that adolescents and young adults represent the highest risk group for gambling problems. Prevailing public health initiatives addressing youth problem gambling are only beginning to be examined...
The National Research Council’s (1999) seminal review of the scientific literature for the National Gambling Impact Study Commission noted a trend toward the proliferation of gambling venues, increased expenditures, and the seriousness of the adverse consequences for those individuals with a gambling problem. Current attempts at primary prevention...
As indicated in previous chapters' it is not uncommon for an adolescent to be participating in one form of gambling or another' be it the lottery' card playing for money' sports wagering' or gambling on electronic gambling devices. The results of the National Research Council's (NRC) (1999) review of empirical studies suggest that 85% of adolescent...
Large-scale prevalence studies conducted in the United States, Canada, England, Europe, New Zealand and Australia all confirm the high prevalence rates of gambling participation among youth. Shaffer, Hall and Vander-Bilt (1997) in their meta-analysis reported that adolescent lifetime gambling rates ranged from 39 to 92%, the median being 85%. When...
The aim of the present study was to investigate the types of gambling activities youths with gambling problems participate in and whether the lottery is a key gambling venue for these young people. Secondly, we sought to ascertain whether youths with gambling problems display similar gambling behaviour with lottery tickets as those addicted to trad...
The recent emergence of gambling problems among youth around the world is alarming. For those most vulnerable in our society, children and adolescents, problem gambling presents a serious public health concern. Our current knowledge and understanding of the magnitude of the problem and its considerable impact upon the well-being of youth compels us...
Video games and gambling often contain very similar elements with both providing intermittent rewards and elements of randomness. Furthermore, at a psychological and behavioral level, slot machine gambling, video lottery terminal (VLT) gambling and video game playing share many of the same features. Despite the similarities between video game playi...
Background: This study explored the relationship between coping styles, gambling behaviours and substance use amongst adolescents.
Method: Five hundred and eighty-seven students, aged 12 to 17, volunteered to participate and completed all scales. Participants completed a gambling screen (DSM-IV-J), coping scale (CISS), and a questionnaire developed...
Despite the growing popularity of the harm reduction/harm minimization approach for adolescent alcohol and substance abuse, a harm reduction approach for the prevention of youth gambling problems has only recently been explored. A universal, selective, and indicative prevention framework used in harm reduction health paradigms for adolescent substa...
Both suicide and problem gambling among youth are two growing areas of public health concern, though studies have yet to characterise the relationship between these issues. Youth report higher prevalence rates of problem gambling than adults, but no studies to date have investigated whether they are likewise prone to higher risks of gambling-relate...
The authors empirically examined the relations between several psychosocial variables associated with adolescent problem gambling. Participants were 2,336 students in Grades 7-13, and all completed a questionnaire regarding gambling activities, gambling severity, perceived social support, drug and alcohol dependence, and various social, emotional,...
This study examines the relationship of impulsivity, sensation seeking, coping, and substance use to disordered gambling in a sample of 1,339 youth (637 males and 702 females), 17-21 years old. Results indicate that males with serious gambling problems were more likely than their peers to abuse substances and to use avoidant stress-coping strategie...
Despite the growing popularity of the harm reduction approach in the field of adolescent alcohol and substance abuse, a harm reduction approach to prevention and treatment of youth problem gambling remains largely unexplored. This article poses the question of whether the harm reduction paradigm is a promising approach to the prevention of adolesce...
It's been 25 years since Henry Lesieur's seminal research on understanding compulsive gambling was published. While still in its infancy, the field of gambling research has evolved and greatly added to a better understanding of this complex behavior, its measurement, its social and familial costs, ways of minimizing and preventing gambling problems...
Factors associated with lottery ticket purchases, accessibility of lottery products, and lottery playing behaviour amongst 1,072 youth (ages 10-18 years old, mean age 14 years-old) was examined. Playing the lottery was found to be the most popular gambling activity with youth reporting playing all forms of lottery tickets including draws, scratch t...
Eds.). (2004). New York: Kluwer (264 pp.), ISBN: 0-306-48585-0 (hardcover). Price (approx.): CAD$ 84.50 or USD$ 56.00. Abstract This collection of specialist papers on the current state of youth gambling research summarises the progress in youth problem gambling research in recent years. Theories on youth problem gambling have evolved to a point wh...
Objective
The present study sought to investigate the relationship between perceived parental lottery involvement and the bearing this has upon youth lottery participation.ParticipantsOne thousand seventy(two youth, 10–18 years of age participated from 20 elementary and nine high schools throughout the province of Ontario, Canada.MeasurementsMeasur...
A comparison of empirical measures and perceived gambling severity among youth was conducted. Participants (N=980), mean age of 18.6 years, completed several widely accepted measures of pathological gambling [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV-Juveniles (DSM-IV-J), South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA),...
A comparison of empirical measures and perceived gambling severity among youth was conducted. Participants (N=980), mean age of 18.6 years, completed several widely accepted measures of pathological gambling [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV-Juveniles (DSM-IV-J), South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA),...
While there is a general consensus in the literature that it is common for youth to gamble, considerable variability in the reported prevalence rates of youth problem gambling has been found. More recently, issues concerning the possible overestimation of these rates have been raised. Arguments underlying the proposition that problem gambling rates...
This study examined the relationship between anxiety, social stress, and gambling behaviour among 1,044 high school students in grades 7 to 11. Adolescents completed questionnaires concerning their state, trait, and generalised anxiety, social stress, and gambling behaviour. Results reveal that adolescent probable pathological gamblers report more...
The study examined adolescents' accounts of the UK National Lottery and scratchcards. Q-sorts were used to examine the views of 62 participants aged between 11 and 15 years of age. Findings identified four distinct accounts in relation to the National Lottery (Moral Opposition, Luck Seeking, Rationalist, & Uncertainty), and four distinct accounts i...
Despite increased awareness of the need to begin educating young children about the potential dangers of gambling, empirical knowledge of the prevention of adolescent problem gambling and its translation into science-based prevention initiatives is scarce. This paper poses the question of whether or not the common elements of tobacco, alcohol, and...