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A gambling primary prevention program for students through teacher training: an evidence-based study
Abstract
Given the high prevalence of gambling among adolescents, the main purpose of the present study was to develop a gambling primary intervention program for students through the training of teachers about gambling-related knowledge and problems, and verify the effectiveness of the program in reducing gambling behaviors, cognitive distortions, and perception of gambling economic profitability in students. A total of 33 teachers (31.3% men) and 393 students aged 13 to 19 years (84% boys) were recruited for this study, randomly assigned to training (15 teachers; 219 students) and non-training groups (18 teachers; 174 students). An evidence-based longitudinal study designed with a pretest, and a follow-up after about 7 months, was conducted. Results showed that trained teachers improved their knowledge on gambling types and characteristics and related risks. The most relevant result was the impact the trained teachers had on their students, who reduced their gambling behavior, some cognitive distortions, and misconceptions related to the economic profitability of gambling. However, despite the relevance of these results, this study represents preliminary evidence, and further controlled studies are needed to confirm the possibility of using trained teachers as a less expensive method to efficiently prevent gambling among adolescents.
... They combined digital and interactive resources with participative activities, such as group debates. An online program featured in only one study [52], and five programs were facilitated by teachers [44,50,55,56,65]. ...
... What is more, programs in only a few studies involving adolescents were facilitated by teachers, despite the advantages, particularly in terms of feasibility and cost-effectiveness that this may bring. Although Ladouceur et al. (2003) [56] reported that the initiatives facilitated by gambling experts were more effective for reducing cognitive errors in students compared to those facilitated by their teachers, more recent studies [55,65] appear to produce highly positive results with this implementation format, although they stress that teachers should receive specific gambling-related training in order to achieve the desired effects [55]. Therefore, more studies of this type should be conducted in order to allow more solid conclusions to be drawn in this respect. ...
... What is more, programs in only a few studies involving adolescents were facilitated by teachers, despite the advantages, particularly in terms of feasibility and cost-effectiveness that this may bring. Although Ladouceur et al. (2003) [56] reported that the initiatives facilitated by gambling experts were more effective for reducing cognitive errors in students compared to those facilitated by their teachers, more recent studies [55,65] appear to produce highly positive results with this implementation format, although they stress that teachers should receive specific gambling-related training in order to achieve the desired effects [55]. Therefore, more studies of this type should be conducted in order to allow more solid conclusions to be drawn in this respect. ...
Gambling disorder in youth is an emerging public health problem, with adolescents and young adults constituting a vulnerable age group for the development of gambling-related problems. Although research has been conducted on the risk factors for gambling disorder, very few rigorous studies can be found on the efficacy of preventive interventions in young people. The aim of this study was to provide best practice recommendations for the prevention of disordered gambling in adolescents and young adults. We reviewed and synthesized the results of existing RCTs and quasi-experimental studies covering nonpharmacological prevention programs for gambling disorder in young adults and adolescents. We applied the PRISMA 2020 statement and guidelines to identify 1483 studies, of which 32 were included in the systematic review. All studies targeted the educational setting, i.e., high school and university students. Most studies followed a universal prevention strategy, that particularly targeted adolescents, and an indicated prevention strategy for university students. The reviewed gambling prevention programs generally showed good results in terms of reducing the frequency and severity of gambling, and also regarding cognitive variables, such as misconceptions, fallacies, knowledge, and attitudes towards gambling. Finally, we highlight the need to develop more comprehensive prevention programs that incorporate rigorous methodological and assessment procedures before they are widely implemented and disseminated.
... Full text screening led to 45 papers excluded for the following reasons: participants not meeting age criteria; no measure of behavior; not a randomized control trial; no statistical test performed; and duplicated data. No additional papers were identified in the hand-search, resulting in a total 16 papers included in the review (Broussard & Wulfert, 2017;Calado et al., 2020;Canale et al., 2016;Donati et al., 2014Donati et al., , 2018Gaboury & Ladouceur 1993;Huic et al., 2017;Larimer et al., 2012;Martens et al., 2015;Petry et al., 2009;St-Pierre et al., 2017;Tani et al., 2021;Turner et al., 2008a, study 2;Turner et al., 2008b;Walther et al., 2013;Williams et al., 2010). ...
... Table 1 shows the characteristics of the eligible studies. Studies were conducted most frequently in Canada (Gaboury & Ladouceur 1993;St-Pierre et al., 2017;Turner et al., 2008a, study 2;Turner et al., 2008b;Williams et al., 2010), with four undertaken in the USA (Broussard & Wulfert; Larimer et al., 2012;Martens et al., 2015;Petry et al., 2009), four in Italy Canale et al., 2016;Donati et al., 2014Donati et al., , 2018Tani et al., 2021), and one in Croatia (Huic et al., 2017), Portugal (Calado et al., 2020), and Germany (Walther et al., 2013). A total of 6,703 participants were included in the studies (min = 34; max = 2,109). ...
... The BCTs most frequently adopted were educational with strategies attempting to inform adolescents about the antecedents and consequences (emotional, social, and environmental) of problem gambling. For example, Tani et al. (2021) gave information on various problem gambling risk factors and Donati et al. (2014) presented participants with the economic disadvantages associated with gambling. The adoption of such BCTs is likely due to the knowledge within the target population and the purpose of the interventions. ...
Background
Adolescent gambling can lead to significant harms, yet participation rates continue to rise. Interventions targeting gambling reduction have been implemented in this population. However, it is not clear which behavior change techniques (BCTs) and modes of delivery (MOD) are most effective at reducing gambling.
Objective
The objective of the study was to identify ‘promising’ BCTs and MODs by systematically reviewing interventions targeting adolescent gambling behavior. ‘Promising’ was defined as those present in at least 25% of all interventions and in at least two effective interventions.
Methods
Three databases were searched (PsycINFO, Medline, and Scopus) from database inception to May 2021. Interventions were eligible if they were randomized controlled trials; targeting adolescents (aged 10–25 years); and assessing gambling behavior post-intervention. BCTs were identified using the Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy v1.
Results
From the initial 3,315 studies, the removal of duplicates and ineligible articles resulted in sixteen studies included in the review. Eleven of these reported successfully reducing gambling behavior. Eighteen BCTs and six MODs were used across the interventions. The BCTs identified as promising were ‘4.2. Information about antecedents’, ‘4.4. Behavioral experiments’, ‘5.3. Information about social and environmental consequences’, and ‘5.6. Information about emotional consequences’. Promising MODs were ‘face-to-face’, ‘computer’, and ‘playable electronic storage’.
Conclusions
The study reviewed the content of interventions targeting adolescent gambling behavior. Four BCTs were identified as promising and should therefore be adopted in future interventions. To facilitate the delivery of these techniques, the study also identified three promising MODs. Interventions developed using these BCTs and MODs may successfully reduce adolescent gambling behavior.
... Presented trends led to a need for the development of the full range of interventions for adolescents, with prevention as one of the most important [18,42,43] and cost-effective [44] ways to address the problem of adolescent gambling and target individuals who may not yet be involved in this behaviour but are part of an at-risk group [20,21,27,[45][46][47][48][49]. ...
... Preventive interventions can be divided into three main categories: (1) primary/universal (activities aimed at the adolescent population in general, regardless of identified risk or need, to prevent the development of gambling problems and raise awareness of the risks and consequences), (2) secondary/indicated (interventions for children at risk to reduce the likelihood of developing severe problem gambling behaviour) and (3) tertiary/selective (targeting adolescents who are already showing signs and symptoms of problem gambling and mainly involving treatment programs) interventions [27,44]. The literature has shown that universal school-based prevention is the preferred choice for problems of a social and behavioural nature in adolescence, as it has the advantage of both improving adolescents' skills and reducing their internalising (e.g., anxiety, somatic symptoms, etc. [50,51]) and externalising (e.g., disruptive conduct, aggressive behaviour, etc. [50,51]) problems [18,27,36,44]. ...
... Preventive interventions can be divided into three main categories: (1) primary/universal (activities aimed at the adolescent population in general, regardless of identified risk or need, to prevent the development of gambling problems and raise awareness of the risks and consequences), (2) secondary/indicated (interventions for children at risk to reduce the likelihood of developing severe problem gambling behaviour) and (3) tertiary/selective (targeting adolescents who are already showing signs and symptoms of problem gambling and mainly involving treatment programs) interventions [27,44]. The literature has shown that universal school-based prevention is the preferred choice for problems of a social and behavioural nature in adolescence, as it has the advantage of both improving adolescents' skills and reducing their internalising (e.g., anxiety, somatic symptoms, etc. [50,51]) and externalising (e.g., disruptive conduct, aggressive behaviour, etc. [50,51]) problems [18,27,36,44]. St-Pierre and Derevensky [43] classified school-based gamblingspecific prevention programs into two categories: (1) psychoeducational prevention programs and (2) comprehensive prevention programs that include psychoeducation and skills training. ...
As a response to significant adolescent gambling involvement, a Croatian team of researchers and practitioners developed a universal, comprehensive, evidence-based youth gambling prevention program called “Who Really Wins?”. This study presents the results on its short-term effectiveness following the first national implementation in 18 Croatian cities, with a total of 629 high school students (66.5% male) who completed the program. A design with two measurement sessions (pre-test and post-test) was used to explore the short-term effects of the program on gambling-related knowledge and cognition, frequency of gambling, and various socio-emotional skills. The results showed significant effects when it comes to knowledge, cognitive distortions, and the frequency of sports betting and playing lottery games. Furthermore, the program had no harmful effects on any of the measured variables. The results are interpreted in terms of methodological challenges in measuring effects, possible improvements of the program, and implications for future evaluation research.
... Table 1 shows the results of the final selection of studies. The total number of participants evaluated in the computation of all studies was 25,119, of whom 33 were teachers [44]. The rest were all primary, secondary, or high-school students. ...
... The provenance of the gambling addiction prevention programs analyzed was very varied: three were from Italy [40,42,44], two from the United States [31,43], two from Canada [38,39], two from Spain [34][35][36][37], two from Romania [32][33][34][35], one from Switzerland [36], one from Croatia [25], one from Portugal [41], and one from Germany [33]. ...
This systematic review focuses on all the gambling addiction prevention programs carried out in schools, with the intention of making their effectiveness known and encouraging the creation of more such programs. During the third quarter of 2021, an exhaustive search was conducted using the databases of Scopus, Medline (via Pubmed), WOS, and PsycINFO. The search strategy was based on a combination of specific search terms: “Gambling Disorder [Mesh]”, “Online Gambling Disorder [Mesh]”, and “Prevention Programs [Mesh]”. A total of 15 articles were chosen for systematic review. All the programs analyzed show effective results, although there are several methodological shortcomings in the way they are conducted. Effective programs need to focus more on long-term results and the emotional aspects of gambling. We need professionals who can convey the causal nature of the problem the youth are facing.
... Previous studies evaluating gambling prevention interventions among adolescents showed effect in improving knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, correcting misconceptions, and reducing gambling behaviours (Calado et al., 2020;Canale et al., 2016b;Donati et al., 2014Donati et al., , 2022Ferland et al., 2002;Ladouceur et al., 2004;Lavoie & Ladouceur, 2004;Ren et al., 2019;Tani et al., 2021;Todirita & Lupu, 2013;Walther et al., 2013;Williams et al., 2010). However, only a paucity of studies were conducted on early adolescents (Ferland et al., 2002;Ladouceur et al., 2004;Lavoie & Ladouceur, 2004;Todirita & Lupu, 2013;Walther et al., 2013). ...
Gambling risk behaviour is an emerging problem among adolescents. “Unplugged” is an effective Social Influence curriculum for preventing substance use among students. This study aims to develop and test a new component focused on gambling added to the Unplugged program. Schools of Piedmont region and Rome city were invited to participate in the study. A self-completed anonymous questionnaire including questions on socio-demographic characteristics, addictive behaviours, beliefs, attitudes and risk perceptions about gambling, normative perceptions, parental practices, school climate, refusal skills, impulsiveness, self-esteem, antisocial behaviours and sensation seeking was prepared for baseline and follow-up surveys. The protocol of the study was submitted and approved by the Novara Ethical Committee and registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05630157, Protocol ID: 080.742, 11/17/2022). Twenty-nine schools accepted to participate in the study. Sixty-three classes (1325 students) satisfied the eligibility criteria for intervention and were allocated to the intervention arm, and the other 61 (1269 students) were allocated to the control arm. Because of drop-out, absentees, refusals, and invalid questionnaires, data on 1874 students (998 in the intervention and 876 in the control arm), were available for the analysis at baseline. Data management of follow-up questionnaires is in progress. Results of the present study will be useful to clarify the effectiveness of prevention interventions in reducing gambling behaviours among adolescents. Moreover, this will be the first experience of evaluating a new component focused on a different risk behaviour, added to a curriculum previously shown as effective on other risk behaviours.
... Fourteenfifteen years has been identified as an adolescent age in which there is a high risk for gambling in the past month [49]. Moreover, although in Italy gambling is allowed solely to adolescents aged higher than 18 years, any age differences in gambling habits have been found between minor and of-age adolescents [50], indicating that even the youngest adolescents are involved in gambling. ...
Introduction
Nowadays, most of the research studies in the field of adolescent gambling are focused on individual factors related to problem gambling. The aim of this study was to test an integrated model to explain adolescent problem gambling involving both individual (i.e., correct gambling knowledge, superstitious thinking, and gambling-related cognitive distortions) and environmental factors (i.e., parental gambling frequency). In detail, the aim was to better understand the role of parental gambling behavior on adolescents’ gambling frequency and problem gambling severity, to draw indications for prevention.
Methods
Participants were 680 parents (36% men; Mage = 48.32, SD = 6.14 years) of 680 high school students (51% boys; Mage = 15.51, SD = .55 years) attending the second year of different high schools in Tuscany (Italy). Data collection occurred within the school prevention program PRIZE (Prevention of gambling risk among adolescents).
Results
A path model showed was conducted to detect direct and indirect effects from individual and environmental factors to gambling problem severity. Analyses showed that correct gambling knowledge and superstitious thinking were directly related–respectively in a negative and a positive direction–both to gambling-related cognitive distortions and adolescents’ gambling frequency. Parental gambling frequency was directly associated with adolescents’ gambling frequency. Correct gambling knowledge and superstitious thinking were indirectly related to adolescents’ gambling problem severity through the mediational role of gambling-related cognitive distortions and gambling frequency. Parental gambling frequency was indirectly linked to gambling problem severity by passing through adolescents’ gambling frequency.
Conclusions
The current cross-sectional results confirm that parental gambling behavior has an important role for adolescents’ gambling behavior and severity. Thus, results highlight the need for innovative prevention programs which involve adolescents’ adult reference figures and integrate the individual risk and protective factors with the environmental ones.
... Online self-help tools and counselling for gamblers should be limited to those provided by independent professionals only. Results showed that when social support workers were trained and improved their knowledge on gambling types, characteristics and related risks, it impacted directly on the clients with gambling disorders; their gambling behaviour, some cognitive distortions, and misconceptions related to the economic profitability of gambling were all reduced (Tani, et al., 2021) Social workers are frequently counsellors both to individuals and families and to others, such as teachers (Jonsson, 2003). Counselling needs to be knowledge-based and founded on the same ethical and professional standards as other social work. ...
Gaming and gambling disorders are behaviours which engage young and older persons and affect both women and men. The aim of this paper was to describe gaming and gambling disorders among the el derly and discuss the dimensions of digital, traditional and alternative life on the internet. The social impact and consequences of gaming and gambling disorders, and the arising new challenges for so cial work, were identified. The current review sought to conduct an overview of literature relating to gaming and gambling disorders connected to the elderly, defined as persons aged 60+. The findings are based on critical review of descriptive and policy literature on gaming and gambling disorders, and of the relevant research. Additionally, the findings support the implementation of public health policies to prevent problem gambling among the elderly. The contribution of this research is that it provides an overview of a broad and intercultural re source for the development of public health policy and improvement of the training of social workers. Social work needs to develop a strategy to educate professional support workers in the agency on the role of the social workers' scope of practice. Further research focusing on the education of social workers working with elderly, and the devel opment of tools for identifying the motivation and treating the gaming and gambling problem, is rec ommended.
Introduction
Video slot machines (VSMs), which are available on electronic gaming machines and online platforms, are widely recognized for their high potential to trigger harmful gambling behaviors. Yet, the psychological factors associated with VSM use among adolescents remain poorly investigated.
Methods
We estimated adjusted odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) of current regular (at least monthly) VSM use according to self-efficacy beliefs regarding everyday problem-solving ability, along with current and expected personal fulfillment at the social, and educational level among 7,959 Italian high school students aged 15–17.
Results
Current regular VSM use was reported by 108 students (1.4%). Notably, this behavior was more frequently reported by those with either particularly high or low self-ratings in problem-solving ability, current and expected social fulfillment, as well as by those with lower self-ratings in both current and expected educational/work fulfillment.
Conclusions
These findings underscore that during adolescence, gambling behaviors are associated with diverse psychological profiles, each entailing distinct vulnerabilities. Effectively addressing adolescent gambling necessitates a comprehensive approach, with a strong emphasis on educational support. Given the increasing challenges in curbing underage exposure and access to the most harmful gambling formats, this study offers valuable insights for the design of health promotion and prevention strategies.
Using a longitudinal multisite case study research design, this study demonstrates how cloud computing helps to build knowledge ambidexterity (K-AMB) capabilities in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A cross-theory approach is used to highlight the connections between ambidexterity and knowledge management theories as a basis to explore the benefits of K-AMB capabilities for SMEs. The study investigates how the focus on knowledge exploitation by SMEs limits innovation which can be reconciled using cloud computing by creating multiple ambidextrous knowledge opportunities. In relation to cloud computing and knowledge ambidexterity, the study is the first to measure the effects of a temporal lag in the K-AMB processes resulting in enhanced employee-driven innovation. The results showed that over a 12-month period, employee-driven innovation was significantly amplified from the application of cloud computing that supported more sophisticated ambidextrous processes of knowledge management. The results significantly shift mindsets about the revelatory value of cloud computing to promote K-AMB in SMEs. We draw novel insights to the theory of ambidexterity by proposing that digital technologies and employee innovation contexts lie side-by-side and play an important role in building K-AMB capabilities in SMEs.
Typically, schools implement health promotion programs that focus on a single behavioral domain. Multiple related health topics may be addressed using separate interventions, potentially producing overlap in program content. However, integrative approaches in health promotion have the potential to produce interventions capable of improving multiple health behaviors. In particular, more research is needed to identify the conditions and the factors that can promote the transfer of learning to broaden the target outcomes of health promotion programs. The present study aims to identify the characteristics of an evidence-based life skills education program that can facilitate the transfer of learning to different health behaviors not initially targeted by the program, and the strategies for achieving successful transfer. A two round Delphi method was used with a diverse group of 21 experts in health promotion, life skills education, and methods of pedagogy for early adolescent students. Questionnaires with open and closed-ended questions were administered on-line. Content qualitative analysis was run, integrating codes, subcategories, and categories of the two rounds of the study. Results showed strong consensus among experts about the potential for promoting the transfer of skills from one health domain to another. Many elements were identified as important factors that facilitate the transfer of learning. Strategies for successful transfer were related to teaching methods, educational approaches, and consistency with the broader school curriculum. Findings suggest that the successful transfer of learning to a new health domain requires that educators recognize its importance and explicitly designate it as an educational aim.
Gambling is a widespread and popular phenomenon among adolescents. However, little is known specifically about adolescent gambling behaviors in Italy. The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence and frequency of gambling behaviors, the types of bets most frequently chosen, the amount of money spent on gambling, and the more frequent problem gambling behaviors, taking into account the type of gambler (regular and non-regular), gender, and age. For this propose, 1255 adolescents (59.1% males) aged 13 to 19 years (M = 16.06; SD = 1.47), were recruited for the study. Results of a series of chi-squared tests show that 70.8% of adolescents had gambled at least once in the previous year, with more than 68% of minors declaring that they had gambled. Among those who claimed to have gambled, 24% were regular gamblers who spent more money, had more gambling-related problems, and chose games more at risk for developing gambling addiction, compared to non-regular gamblers. Regarding gender, results show that males gambled more, more frequently, spent more, and presented more gambling-related problems than females. About age, adolescents of age gambled more on some games that involved going to places to bet than minors but no differences between minors and of-age adolescents emerged on the amount of money spent and in being a regular gambler or not. However, gender and age differences emerged only in the non-regular group, whereas in the regular-gambling group, males and females and minor and of-age adolescents did not differ on any aspect analyzed.
Background:
Gambling is not uncommon among adolescents, and a non-trivial minority has serious problems with gambling. Therefore, enhanced knowledge about factors that may prevent against problematic gambling among youth is needed. Prior research has shown that a strong school ethos, which can be defined as a set of attitudes and values pervading at a school, is associated with a lower inclination among students to engage in various risk behaviours. Knowledge about the link between school ethos and adolescent gambling is however scarce. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between teacher-rated school ethos and student-reported gambling and risk gambling, when controlling also for sociodemographic characteristics at the student- and the school-level.
Methods:
Data from two separate cross-sectional surveys were combined. The Stockholm School Survey (SSS) was performed among 5123 students (aged 17-18 years) in 46 upper secondary schools, and the Stockholm Teacher Survey (STS) was carried out among 1061 teachers in the same schools. School ethos was measured by an index based on teachers' ratings of 12 items in the STS. Adolescent gambling and risk gambling were based on a set of single items in the SSS. Sociodemographic characteristics at the student-level were measured by student-reported information from the SSS. Information on sociodemographic characteristics at the school-level was retrieved from administrative registers. The statistical method was multilevel regression analysis. Two-level binary logistic regression models were performed.
Results:
The analyses showed that higher teacher ratings of the school's ethos were associated with a lower likelihood of gambling and risk gambling among students, when adjusting also for student- and school-level sociodemographic characteristics.
Conclusions:
This study showed that school ethos was inversely associated with students' inclination to engage in gambling and in risk gambling. In more general terms, the study provides evidence that schools' values and norms as reflected by the teachers' ratings of their school's ethos have the potential to counteract unwanted behaviours among the students.
Youth problem gambling has become an emergent public health issue, and adolescents constitute a vulnerable age group for the development of gambling-related problems. Although there is research concerning the risk factors of youth problem gambling, rigorous evaluations of the effectiveness of preventive initiatives is still rare. The present study evaluated the efficacy of an integrative intervention to prevent youth problem gambling based on a multidimensional set of factors including gambling-related knowledge, misconceptions, attitudes, gambling frequency, amount of money spent, total hours spent gambling per week, and sensation seeking. A pre- and post-test design was performed with 111 Portuguese high-school students randomly assigned to two groups (experimental and control). The findings demonstrated that the intervention was effective in improving correct knowledge about gambling, reducing misconceptions and attitudes, and in decreasing the total hours spent gambling per week. The intervention was also effective in reducing the number of at-risk/problem gamblers during the study period. Furthermore, these findings were stable after a 6-week follow-up. Overall, the intervention program appeared to be effective in correcting some gambling-related behaviours, and provides suggestions for future interventions.
Background:
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 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.
Methods:
The 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.
Results:
Males 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.
Conclusions:
Results 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.
L’obiettivo è quello di fornire una panoramica e una sintesi della situazione sul gioco d’azzardo in Italia, a uso di chiunque sia interessato alle dimensioni epidemiologiche del fenomeno sul territorio nazionale.
Evidences from the extant literature suggest that problem gamblers show higher cognitive distortions and reported experiencing higher levels of negative affective states than recreational gamblers. Furthermore, several studies reported that the more the gambling severity, the poorer the performance in behavioral tasks assessing affective decision-making. Although gambling research on decision-making has mostly focused on the functional or dysfunctional outcomes of the decisional process, no study examined the role of decision-making styles in gambling disorder. This study aimed to first investigate the interplay among negative affectivity, cognitive distortions, and decision-making styles in adolescent problem gambling. Four hundred and twenty-five adolescents, aged between 14 and 19 years, completed the South Oaks Gambling Screen Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA) to assess problem gambling, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) to measure negative affective states, and the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS) as a measure of cognitive distortions about gambling, and the General Decision-making Style (GDMS) tapping habitual patterns which individuals use in decision-making. Data were submitted to correlational analysis, univariate and mixed-model ANOVAs, and hierarchical regression analysis. Regression analysis indicated that, along with gender, interpretative bias and inability to stop gambling, depression, and spontaneous decision-making style significantly predicted gambling severity. These results extend further previous studies on the role of misconceptions about gambling, and negative affective states in adolescent gambling, and, interestingly, first demonstrate that also maladaptive decision-making styles may represent a risk factor for gambling disorder.
Adolescent boys are characterised by increased risk-taking behavior, including a relatively high propensity to develop problem gambling habits. The association between gambling and sensitivity to immediately available rewards is well-established, suggesting that gamblers are less influenced by potential future consequences than non-gamblers. Nevertheless, existing studies have considered present- and future-orientation as two ends of the same continuum, and have not investigated the possibility that present and future perspectives might make independent contributions to gambling behavior. In the current study, we adopted Zimbardo’s multidimensional approach, which discriminates between not only present and future perspectives, but also between a hedonistic and fatalistic present-orientation (in addition to positive and negative orientations towards the past). The participants were 223 male adolescents (mean age = 16.7 years). We investigated the effects of time perspectives on gambling frequency and gambling problem severity, after taking into account the effects of age, sensation seeking, and gambling-related cognitive distortions. Gambling frequency was significantly predicted by the present fatalistic perspective, and problem gambling was significantly (negatively) related to the future perspective. The present hedonistic and past negative perspectives were also significantly related to both gambling frequency and gambling problems, although they did not explain additional variance in gambling behavior when the effects of the other factors were controlled. Overall, these results offer a fresh perspective on the role of time perspectives in gambling behavior, with potential implications for understanding the origins of gambling problems and the development of novel interventions.
Past studies have identified various risk and protective factors for problem gambling (PG). However, no study has examined the interplay between these factors using a combination of person-centered and variable-centered approaches embedded within a longitudinal design. The present study aimed to (a) identify distinct profiles in early adolescence based on a set of risk factors commonly associated with PG (impulsivity, depression, anxiety, drug−alcohol use, aggressiveness, and antisociality), (b) explore the difference in reported gambling problems between these profiles during midadolescence and early adulthood, and (c) identify family- and peer-related variables that could operate as protective or compensatory factors in this context. Two samples were used: (a) a population sample (N = 1,033) living in low socioeconomic-status neighborhoods and (b) a population sample (N = 3,017) representative of students attending Quebec schools. Latent profile analyses were conducted to identify at-risk profiles based on individual risk factors measured at age 12 years. Negative binomial regression models were estimated to compare profiles in terms of their reported gambling problems at ages 16 and 23. Finally, family- and peer-related variables measured at age 14 were included to test their protective or compensatory role with respect to the link between at-risk profiles and gambling problems. Four profiles were identified: well-adjusted, internalizing, externalizing, and comorbid. Compared to the well-adjusted profile, the externalizing and comorbid profiles reported more gambling problems at ages 16 and 23, but the internalizing profile did not differ significantly. Various protective and compensatory factors emerged for each profile at both time points.
s
Educational-based problem gambling prevention programs are important avenues in targeting at-risk behaviors among adolescents to prevent an escalation of problematic behaviors into adulthood. The aim of this review is to examine features pertinent to effective educational-based programs in the area of adolescent problem gambling prevention in hopes of providing a foundation and future suggestions for preventive efforts. A stronger understanding of this research area will be essential in ensuring that past practical and theoretical advancements are integrated into the development of future programs.
This study aims to provide an estimate of the prevalence of gambling among Italian adolescents and a description of their patterns of gambling activities (PGAs) using a latent class analysis on 13 different types of games. A nationwide sample of 10,959 Italian high school students was recruited in 2013. We assessed problem gambling using the South Oaks Gambling Screen: Revisited for Adolescent (SOGS-RA) scale. Approximately half (50.6%) of students reported gambling at least once in the previous year; 5.0% of them were problem gamblers and 9.1% were at-risk gamblers according to their SOGS-RA scores. Eight PGAs were identified, among which heavy players (1.7% of students) could be classified as problem gamblers and broad skill players (2.0%) and lotteries & sports players (2.4%) as “at-risk” players. These high-risk classes were consistently associated with risky behaviours in terms of substance use, school performance, money spent on gambling and family environment; the other five classes identified low-risk players associated with safe behaviours. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to identify PGAs among Italian adolescents. Problem gamblers are not a homogeneous group in terms of patterns of gambling activities and are associated with different risk factors, among which environmental factors, such as parents’ gambling attitude and behaviour, deserve special attention. The acknowledgment of such patterns and risk factors could be useful in developing sensible public policies addressing prevention strategies and regulatory instruments.
This paper reports on the development and pilot evaluation of a Croatian school-based youth gambling prevention program “Who really wins?”. The program is aimed at minimizing risk and enhancing protective factors related to youth gambling. A short-term evaluation of the program was conducted with a sample of 190 first and second year high-school students (67.6% boys, aged 14–17 years; average age 15.61). An experimental design with two groups (Training vs. No Training) and two measurement sessions (pre-test and post-test sessions) was used to evaluate change in problem gambling awareness, cognitive distortions, knowledge of the nature of random events as well as in social skills. Results showed significant changes in the post-test sessions, which can be attributed to changes in the Training group. We observed a decrease in risk factors, namely better knowledge about gambling and less gambling related cognitive distortions. Immediate effects on protective factors such as problem solving skills, refusal skills, and general self-efficacy were not observed. Findings also show program effects to be the same for both boys and girls, students from different types of schools, for those with different learning aptitudes, as well as for those at different risk levels with regard to their gambling, which speaks in favour of the program’s universality. The program had no iatrogenic effects on behaviour change and shows promise as an effective tool for youth gambling prevention. Future research and a long-term evaluation are needed to determine whether the observed changes are also linked to behavioural change.
Empirical evidence has shown that youth gamble on both regulated and unregulated games, despite legislative prohibitions. This study assesses middle and high school teachers’ awareness and attitudes regarding adolescent gambling and other potentially high-risk behaviours in Finland. A convenience sample of teachers (N = 157) from 13 provinces participated in the survey. The results suggest that teachers in Finland were more knowledgeable of the age limits of other adolescent high-risk behaviours than the legal age for gambling. Teachers were somewhat familiar with the behaviours and consequences associated with adolescent gambling. All other risk behaviours were perceived as being more important than gambling. Teachers’ awareness about gambling prevention material in Finnish schools was limited. Results suggest that initiatives are required to enhance teachers’ knowledge of adolescent problem gambling and its harmful short- and long-term consequences. School policies and guidelines including gambling behavior should be implemented in middle and high schools globally.
This systematic review aimed to identify early risk and protective factors (in childhood, adolescence or young adulthood) longitudinally associated with the subsequent development of gambling problems. A systematic search of peer-reviewed and grey literature from 1990 to 2015 identified 15 studies published in 23 articles. Meta-analyses quantified the effect size of 13 individual risk factors (alcohol use frequency, antisocial behaviours, depression, male gender, cannabis use, illicit drug use, impulsivity, number of gambling activities, problem gambling severity, sensation seeking, tobacco use, violence, undercontrolled temperament), one relationship risk factor (peer antisocial behaviours), one community risk factor (poor academic performance), one individual protective factor (socio-economic status) and two relationship protective factors (parent supervision, social problems). Effect sizes were on average small to medium and sensitivity analyses revealed that the results were generally robust to the quality of methodological approaches of the included articles. These findings highlight the need for global prevention efforts that reduce risk factors and screen young people with high-risk profiles. There is insufficient investigation of protective factors to adequately guide prevention initiatives. Future longitudinal research is required to identify additional risk and protective factors associated with problem gambling, particularly within the relationship, community, and societal levels of the socio-ecological model.
Adolescent problem gambling prevalence rates are reportedly five times higher than in the adult population. Several school-based gambling education programs have been developed in an attempt to reduce problem gambling among adolescents; however few have been empirically evaluated. The aim of this review was to report the outcome of studies empirically evaluating gambling education programs across international jurisdictions. A systematic review following guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement searching five academic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Medline, PsycINFO, and ERIC, was conducted. A total of 20 papers and 19 studies were included after screening and exclusion criteria were applied. All studies reported intervention effects on cognitive outcomes such as knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs. Only nine of the studies attempted to measure intervention effects on behavioural outcomes, and only five of those reported significant changes in gambling behaviour. Of these five, methodological inadequacies were commonly found including brief follow-up periods, lack of control comparison in post hoc analyses, and inconsistencies and misclassifications in the measurement of gambling behaviour, including problem gambling. Based on this review, recommendations are offered for the future development and evaluation of school-based gambling education programs relating to both methodological and content design and delivery considerations.
Full text available at: http://rdcu.be/jYm5
Parent problem gambling (PG) has pervasive adverse effects on children. These children experience considerable losses such as loss of trust, loss of safety and stability, as well as financial and emotional losses. They are at greater risk for maltreatment and mental health disorders, and they are also at risk for intergenerational transmission of PG. These children are two to four times more likely to develop PG than children of non-PG parents. To date, there has been a dearth of research examining the impact of parent PG on children, and even less research focusing on reducing risks in children of PG parents. The goal of this systematic review was to identify PG prevention programs for children and examine the types of prevention used and whether these programs target specific subgroups. Our search retained 16 studies examining PG prevention programs for children. Results indicated that all of the PG prevention programs in the selected studies are universal and do not target children of PG parents or any other specific subgroups. A large gap is the absence of secondary and tertiary PG prevention programs for children. Another gap is the lack of family focused prevention strategies which the substance use literature has shown to be the most effective form of prevention. Further research is needed on parent PG and ways of reducing risks and increasing protective factors in children and families. A public health framework must be adopted to delay onset, reduce risks and minimize consequences in children of PG parents.
Studies of gambling starting before adulthood in the general population are either cross-sectional, based on the stability of these behaviors between 2 time points, or cover a short developmental period. The present study aimed at investigating the developmental trajectories of gambling problems across 3 key periods of development, mid-adolescence, early adulthood, and age 30, in a mixed-gender cohort from the general population. Using a semiparametric mixture model, trajectories were computed based on self-reports collected at ages 15 (N = 1,882), 22 (N = 1,785), and 30 (N = 1,358). Two distinct trajectories were identified: 1 trajectory including males and females who were unlikely to have experienced gambling problems across the 15-year period, and 1 trajectory including participants likely to have experienced at least 1 problem over the last 12 months at each time of assessment. Participants following a high trajectory were predominantly male, participated frequently in 3 to 4 different gambling activities, and were more likely to report substance use and problems related to their alcohol and drug consumption at age 30. Thus, gambling problems in the general population are already observable at age 15 in a small group of individuals, who maintain some level of these problems through early adulthood, before moderately but significantly desisting by age 30, while also experiencing other addictive behaviors and related problems. (PsycINFO Database Record
(c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).
Therefore, an opening of school activity is required, in the direction of combining formal strategies, which are specific to class, with non-formal and informal strategies, outside the class or school's perimeter and the forming use of elements offered by various educational environments. In such conditions/circumstances, a better combination of theoretical with practical strategies is offered. At the same time, a better mingling between individual strategies centred on the student, as constructivist strategies with the group, interactive strategies, centred on communication, creative learning and modern ITC type strategies, distance learning, that satisfy both the individual activity. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the University of Pitesti, Romania
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 students aged 12-18, completed an online survey. Results suggest that teachers are aware of the fact that youth gamble. Furthermore, they recognized the addictive nature of gambling and their subsequent consequences. Despite overestimating the proportion of youth experiencing gambling problems, gambling was viewed as being the least serious of issues affecting youth, with drug use and school violence topping the list. Almost half of respondents indicated that gambling in school can constitute a good learning activity. In regards to prevention, all other risky behaviours and academic problems were perceived as issues needing greater attention than gambling. These results, which are largely consistent with findings from a previous study examining parental perceptions of adolescent risky behaviours, suggest a need for greater awareness and teacher education.
The South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA) is one of the most widely used measures of adolescent gambling. We aimed to provide evidence of its suitability as a screening tool applying item response theory (IRT). The scale was administered to 981 adolescents (64% males; mean age = 16.57 years, SD = 1.63 years) attending high school. Analyses were carried out with a sample of 871 respondents, that is, adolescents who have gambled at least once during the previous year. Once the prerequisite of unidimensionality was confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis, unidimensional IRT analyses were performed. The 2-parameter logistic model was used in order to estimate item parameters (severity and discrimination) and the test information function. Results showed that item severity ranged from medium to high, and most of the items showed large discrimination parameters, indicating that the scale accurately measures medium to high levels of problem gambling. These regions of the trait were associated with the greatest amount of information, indicating that the SOGS-RA provides a reliable measure for identifying both problem gamblers and adolescents at risk of developing maladaptive behaviors deriving from gambling. The IRT-based evidence supports the suitability of the SOGS-RA as a screening tool in adolescent populations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).
Minnesota youth (15 to 18-years of age) were surveyed regarding their gambling experiences and psychosocial risk status. Gambling was reported by most of the subjects, with 8.7% classified as problem gamblers. Correlates of problem gambling included school difficulties, regular drug use, delinquency, parental gambling, and being male. Adolescent gambling is conceptualized as a normal experience of youth, yet those in the problem gambling group may be particularly vulnerable to future gambling problems.
To investigate co-occurrence and shared personality characteristics of problematic computer gaming, problematic gambling and substance use.
Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 2,553 German students aged 12-25 years. Self-report measures of substance use (alcohol, tobacco and cannabis), problematic gambling (South Oaks Gambling Screen - Revised for Adolescents, SOGS-RA), problematic computer gaming (Video Game Dependency Scale, KFN-CSAS-II), and of twelve different personality characteristics were obtained.
Analyses revealed positive correlations between tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use and a smaller positive correlation between problematic gambling and problematic computer gaming. Problematic computer gaming co-occurred only with cannabis use, whereas problematic gambling was associated with all three types of substance use. Multivariate multilevel analyses showed differential patterns of personality characteristics. High impulsivity was the only personality characteristic associated with all five addictive behaviours. Depression and extraversion were specific to substance users. Four personality characteristics were specifically associated with problematic computer gaming: irritability/aggression, social anxiety, ADHD, and low self-esteem.
Problematic gamblers seem to be more similar to substance users than problematic computer gamers. From a personality perspective, results correspond to the inclusion of gambling in the same DSM-V category as substance use and question a one-to-one proceeding for computer gaming.
This study examined the effects of sequencing different types of antismoking threat and efficacy appeals on smoking cessation intentions for smokers with low and high levels of readiness to quit. An experiment was done to test predictions based on Witte's (1992) Extended Parallel Process Model and research by Cho and Salmon (200610.
Cho , H. and
Salmon , C. T. 2006. Fear appeals for individuals in different stages of change: Intended and unintended effects and implications on public health campaigns. Health Communication, 20(1): 91–99. [Taylor & Francis Online], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®]View all references). A national probability sample of 555 adult smokers was recruited to take part in this study. Results found a positive two-way interaction effect between message threat and perceived level of message efficacy on intentions to seek help for quitting. A three-way interaction effect was found between message threat, perceived level of message efficacy, and readiness to quit on quitting intentions. Both threat and efficacy were important for smokers with low readiness to quit, whereas efficacy was most important among smokers with high readiness to quit. Implications of the results for antismoking campaigns are discussed along with limitations and future directions.
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. Drawing upon the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion as a guiding framework, a prevention model and framework for action are presented to better understand and address problem gambling from a population-based perspective. This framework applies denormalization, protection, prevention, and harm-reduction principles to youth gambling problems and describes primary, secondary and tertiary prevention objectives. A foundation for the development, implementation and evaluation of comprehensive, multi-level health promotion and prevention strategies for youth problem gambling is provided.
An increase in prevalence of problem gambling and gambling-related costs to the individual, family, and community are accompanying the spreading availability of venues in which to gamble. This highlights the need for effective educational programs, media campaigns, consumer protection, and public policy aimed at preventing increased incidence of problematic gambling behavior. This review explores prominent models of prevention including the risk and protective factors model, levels-of-prevention, and the public health perspective and illustrates each model's power to facilitate efforts toward preventing gambling problems. The current state of problem gambling prevention research and practice is delineated and future directions for policy are made. EDITORS' STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS: Researchers and policymakers will benefit from the review and set of recommendations and also the detailed supplemental online content, in the form of six helpful Appendixes related to gambling prevention resources and materials.
A comprehensive mission for schools is to educate students to be knowledgeable, responsible, socially skilled, healthy, caring, and contributing citizens. This mission is supported by the growing number of school-based prevention and youth development programs. Yet, the current impact of these programs is limited because of insufficient coordination with other components of school operations and inattention to implementation and evaluation factors necessary for strong program impact and sustainability. Widespread implementation of beneficial prevention programming requires further development of research-based, comprehensive school reform models that improve social, health, and academic outcomes; educational policies that demand accountability for fostering children's full development; professional development that prepares and supports educators to implement programs effectively; and systematic monitoring and evaluation to guide school improvement.
The high prevalence of drug abuse, delinquency, youth violence, and other youth problems creates a need to identify and disseminate effective prevention strategies. General principles gleaned from effective interventions may help prevention practitioners select, modify, or create more effective programs. Using a review-of-reviews approach across 4 areas (substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, school failure, and juvenile delinquency and violence), the authors identified 9 characteristics that were consistently associated with effective prevention programs: Programs were comprehensive, included varied teaching methods, provided sufficient dosage, were theory driven, provided opportunities for positive relationships, were appropriately timed, were socioculturally relevant, included outcome evaluation, and involved well-trained staff. This synthesis can inform the planning and implementation of problem-specific prevention interventions, provide a rationale for multi-problem prevention programs, and serve as a basis for further research.
Riconosciuto solo recentemente come una forma patologica di dipendenza, il Disturbo da gioco d’azzardo (Gambling Disorder) costituisce attualmente una vera e propria emergenza sociale. Attraverso una trattazione sistematica, fondata sull’analisi critica della più recente letteratura, il libro propone una visione d’insieme che consente al lettore di ricostruire un quadro completo ed esaustivo del comportamento di gioco e delle tappe della 'carriera' del giocatore, approfondendo, all’interno di una prospettiva interdisciplinare, i complessi fattori che contribuiscono all’insorgenza e al mantenimento della spirale del gioco, i paradigmi esplicativi e i possibili modelli di prevenzione e d’intervento. Il volume si configura pertanto come un importante contributo, non solo per gli addetti ai lavori, ma anche per tutti coloro che, a vario titolo, intendono avvicinarsi alle problematiche del gioco d’azzardo e comprenderne a pieno gli ampi risvolti clinici, economici e sociali.
The landscape of gambling internationally has continued to evolve at an unprecedented rate. While traditional land-based gambling continues to flourish (e.g., casinos, racinos, card rooms, lotteries), technological advances have enabled more and more individuals to wager from the comfort of their own homes. Never before have there been such a multiplicity of different types of gambling activities that are easily accessible and readily available. Globally, gambling during the past decade has represented one of the fastest changing and growing industries in the world, with technological developments creating new innovative forms of gambling (e.g., fantasy and daily fantasy sports, skins gambling based upon skilled interactive games). While some jurisdictions (e.g., Atlantic City) have shown declines in gambling revenues, much of these revenues can be accounted for by increases in gambling opportunities in neighboring states. In other jurisdictions, for example, Macau, sociopolitical restrictions have limited the frequency of casino visits, ultimately curtailing revenues. In spite of these few blips, gambling continues to expand internationally. Gambling opportunities have become so prolific and widespread that it is difficult to find jurisdictions in which some form of gambling is not government controlled, regulated, organized, or owned, and even in jurisdictions without regulated forms of gambling, non-regulated gambling (e.g., among peers or online gambling) continues to flourish. Internationally, gambling continues to be viewed as a socially acceptable form of entertainment in spite of the acknowledged social, familial, and personal costs associated with excessive problematic gambling.
Objective: The aim of this study was to explore if and which specific cognitive biases play a role in pathological gambling. Method: We recruited 343 participants, divided in two groups: I) 79 pathological gamblers and II) 264 no problematic gamblers. Data were analyzed using a series of analyses of variance and a series of linear regression analyses. Results: Data showed that the dimensions of cognitive bias explained a significant amount of the variance in pathological gambling; besides results indicated that the severity of gambling problems was positively associated with the strength of all cognitive biases considered, also after controlling age and gender. In particular results underlined that gambling behaviors seem to be more related to the expectation that gambling is the only way to cope with stress gaming (Gambling Expectancies), and to the gamblers feelings that they are unable to stop gambling (Perceived Inability to Stop Gambling). Conclusions: Our results are consistent with those of previous studies that showed a link between cognitive biases and gambling behaviors. Further investigation on this topic are needed to study the role that cognitive distortions could play in the onset, development, and maintenance of gambling behaviors.
Critical participatory action research emerges from critique of conventional social and action research, recognizing that action research itself is a social practice—a practice changing practice. It arises when people share concerns and work together to make their individual and collective practices less irrational, unsustainable, and unjust. By participating in public spheres, participants create communicative action and communicative space—clarifying their concerns, informing changes in their practices, and creating communicative power and solidarity. Participants’ own analyses of their practices are supported by understanding practice architectures, local arrangements enabling or constraining their work. Changing a practice also involves changing practice architectures. Critical participatory action research differs from other research traditions because it supports participants changing “what is happening here” in disciplined, prudent, and informed ways.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of a gambling prevention program that aimed to correct the notions of chance and randomness among primary school students. The relative effectiveness of two prevention programs aiming to modify erroneous perceptions of gambling as well as the teacher's and specialist's on the psychology of gambling efficiencies to deliver the prevention programs were compared. Results showed that the program administered by a specialist of the psychology of gambling was more effective at decreasing erroneous perceptions than that provided by the teacher. The discussion raises the practical implications of these results for preventing gambling problems among primary school students, as well as the potential role that teachers could play in the implementation of such programs.
Introduction:
The involvement in gambling activities is increasing among adolescents, together with the risk of developing gambling problems. Given the important role of erroneous beliefs on adolescent problematic gambling behavior, the aim of this study was to investigate the adequacy of the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS; Raylu & Oei, 2004) to assess gambling-related distortions among youth in Italy.
Methods:
The scale was administered to 1656 Italian high school students (65% males, mean age=16.15 years, SD=1.44), and analyses were carried out with respondents who have gambled during the previous year (N=1224).
Results:
The adequacy of the five-factor model was confirmed (both among male and female adolescent gamblers), as well as the reliability of the total scale and subscales. Evidence for the validity of the GRCS among adolescents was provided confirming the relationship between gambling-related cognitions and problem gambling found in previous studies. Research on the validity of the scale was also extended by investigating the relationship between cognitive distortions about gambling and the frequency of engaging in different gambling activities.
Conclusions:
Our results confirm that the GRCS is an effective multidimensional instrument which accurately measures young gamblers' cognitive distortions relating to gambling. As such, it can be used as a useful tool in the assessment and treatment of juvenile gambling.
The past decade has witnessed an expanded accessibility and popularity of gambling worldwide, and in Italy the phenomenon significantly increased. Nevertheless, little is known about the role of gambling cognitions among Italian individuals, and few scales assessing problem gambling have been validated. The purpose of the present study was to examine and validate the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale-Italian version (GRCS-I), based on the 23-item Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS). Two-tailed t tests, ANOVA, MANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression analyses were used for continuous variables, while χ(2) tests with Yates's correction for categorical variables. Cronbach's α was utilized to determine the internal consistency, and logistic regression analysis and the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to determine discriminant validity. Principal axis factoring with Oblimin rotation was applied, and then confirmatory factor analysis was used to cross-validate the factor structures. We extracted a five-factor solution that accounted for 60 % of variance. All 23 items had communalities and factor loadings were satisfactory, and the factor structures were similar to the original version of the measure. The Cronbach's α coefficients were adequate, and concurrent and discriminant validities of the GRCS were also confirmed. GRCS-I presented good psychometric properties and it demonstrated good validity and reliability, providing a valid and suitable tool for the assessment of gambling related cognitions among Italian individuals.
Since no Italian validated instrument focuses specifically on the measurement of pathological gambling in very young people, with this study, we aim to adapt an international instrument (SOGS-RA) and assess its psychometric properties in a sample (n = 14.910) of young Italian students aged between 15 and 19 years. Cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument was performed through translation, synthesis of translation, back-translation, expert committee review, and pre-testing. The kappa statistic for test-retest concordance ranged from 0.53 to 0.80. Internal validity was assessed by the MCA that identified one principal component with eigenvalue equal to 3,875: the Divgi index and very simple structure analysis also pointed out one common factor, so uni-dimensionality of the SOGS-RA was accepted. Moreover the SOGS-RA was found to have acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.780). Cronbach's alpha was also assessed separately among males and females (respectively 0.786 and 0.707). The SOGS-RA was assessed in relation to gambling frequency, alcohol and drug use: Chi squared test revealed a strong association both for males and females with gambling frequency (p value ≤ 0.0001), frequent use of illicit drugs (for each drug p value ≤ 0.0001) and having had 3 or more occasions of binge drinking in the last month (p value ≤ 0.0001). At the end we can say that, the results of our study suggest that the SOGS-RA screen may be useful to assess at-risk or problem gambling for both genders in comprehensive youth surveys.
Teachers play a critical role in protecting students from harm in schools, but little is known about their attitudes toward addressing problems like bullying. Previous studies have rarely used theoretical frameworks, making it difficult to advance this area of research. Using the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM), we examined the association between teachers' perceived threat and perceived efficacy and their likelihood of intervening in bullying situations. We also explored whether the school level at which teachers taught (elementary vs secondary), and their years of experience of working at the school moderated these associations.
Data come from 1062 teachers who completed an anonymous Web-based survey regarding their attitudes and responses to bullying. Structural equation modeling and multiple group analyses were used to test the hypothesized relationships and for effect modification by teacher characteristics.
Perceived threat and efficacy were associated with teachers' likelihood of intervening in bullying situations but varied based on teachers' years of experience at their school. For less experienced teachers, perceived efficacy, but not perceived threat, was strongly associated with likelihood of intervening. For more experienced teachers, both perceived threat and perceived efficacy were significantly associated. Finally, the associations did not differ by the school level.
This is one of few studies examining possible predictors of teachers' likelihood of intervening in bullying situations. EPPM may inform the development of bullying interventions aiming to increase the likelihood that teachers will intervene in bullying situations.
Purpose:
To evaluate short-term effects of a school-based media education program for sixth- and seventh-grade adolescents on gambling knowledge, attitudes, and behavior.
Methods:
A two-wave cluster randomized control trial with two arms (intervention vs. control group) was conducted in the German Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein. The intervention group received a four-unit media education program, which contained one unit on gambling. The program was implemented by trained teachers during class time. The control group attended regular classes without any specific intervention. Survey data from 2,109 students with a mean age (SD) of 12.0 (.85) years was collected before and shortly after the intervention.
Results:
Thirty percent of the sample reported lifetime gambling; 6.7% were classified as current gamblers. Results of multilevel mixed-effects regression analyses revealed significant program effects in terms of an increased gambling knowledge (d = .18), decreased problematic gambling attitudes (d = .15), as well as a decrease of current gambling (d = .02) in the intervention group compared to the control group. The program had no significant influence on lifetime gambling.
Conclusions:
A 90-minute lesson about gambling can improve gambling knowledge and change attitudes toward gambling and gambling behavior among adolescents. Studies with a longer follow-up period are needed to test the long-term effects of such an intervention.
This study aimed at testing a model in which cognitive, dispositional, and social factors were integrated into a single perspective as predictors of gambling behavior. We also aimed at providing further evidence of gender differences related to adolescent gambling. Participants were 994 Italian adolescents (64% Males; Mean age = 16.57). Hierarchical logistic regressions attested the predictive power of the considered factors on at-risk/problem gambling - measured by administering the South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA) - in both boys and girls. Sensation seeking and superstitious thinking were consistent predictors across gender, while probabilistic reasoning ability, the perception of the economic profitability of gambling, and peer gambling behavior were found to be predictors only among male adolescents, whereas parental gambling behavior had a predictive power in female adolescents. Findings are discussed referring to practical implications for preventive efforts toward adolescents' gambling problems.
The fear appeal literature is diverse and inconsistent. Existing fear appeal theories explain the positive linear results occurring in many studies, but are unable to explain the boomerang or curvilinear results occurring in other studies. The present work advances a theory integrating previous theoretical perspectives (i.e., Janis, 1967; Leventhal, 1970; Rogers, 1975, 1983) that is based on Leventhal's (1970) danger control/fear control framework. The proposed fear appeal theory, called the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM), expands on previous approaches in three ways: (a) by explaining why fear appeals fail; (b) by re‐incorporating fear as a central variable; and (c) by specifying the relationship between threat and efficacy in propositional forms. Specific propositions are given to guide future research.
The 1st volume, in a planned trilogy dealing with the prevention and control of mental disorders, focuses on the need for new knowledge and clinical understanding as they pertain to community dynamics. Program planning, staffing, and staff training are discussed from the standpoint of preventive psychiatry which "must containually take into account the multifactorial nature of the forces which provoke or ameliorate mental disorders." Programs to reduce the incidence of, the duration of, and the impairment which may result from mental disorders of all types in a community are touched upon. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
School-based prevention programs are an important component of problem gambling prevention, but empirically effective programs are lacking. Stacked Deck is a set of 5-6 interactive lessons that teach about the history of gambling; the true odds and "house edge"; gambling fallacies; signs, risk factors, and causes of problem gambling; and skills for good decision making and problem solving. An overriding theme of the program is to approach life as a "smart gambler" by determining the odds and weighing the pros versus cons of your actions. A total of 949 grade 9-12 students in 10 schools throughout southern Alberta received the program and completed baseline and follow-up measures. These students were compared to 291 students in 4 control schools. Four months after receiving the program, students in the intervention group had significantly more negative attitudes toward gambling, improved knowledge about gambling and problem gambling, improved resistance to gambling fallacies, improved decision making and problem solving, decreased gambling frequency, and decreased rates of problem gambling. There was no change in involvement in high risk activities or money lost gambling. These results indicate that Stacked Deck is a promising curriculum for the prevention of problem gambling.
Recent Australian studies (Moore, S.M., and Ohtsuka, K. (1997). Journal of Gambling Studies, 13, 207-236) have revealed a strong youth interest in gambling in Australia, as reflected in current participation levels, future intentions and attitudes. Implicit in much of this attitudinal research is that youth gambling is strongly influenced by the familial, social and cultural norms to which young people are exposed. In this paper, we investigate the hypothesis that gambling can be understood in terms of variations in economic socialization, namely, the way in which children learn about money, risk, and saving. A school survey of 505 adolescents (aged 15-17 years) showed that over 60% of adolescents were gambling annually and that 3.5% scored in the problematic range on the DSM-IV-J (Fisher, S.E. (1999). Addiction Research, 7, 509-538). More frequent gambling was associated with parental and peer gambling and pro-gambling attitudes, but unrelated to adolescents' attitudes towards economic concepts. Nevertheless, in partial support of the hypotheses, adolescents whose parents taught them about keeping to a budget, saving money, and maintaining their finances were less likely to express an interest in future gambling.
The aims of this study are to develop and validate a measure to screen for a range of gambling-related cognitions (GRC) in gamblers.
A total of 968 volunteers were recruited from a community-based population. They were divided randomly into two groups. Principal axis factoring with varimax rotation was performed on group one and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used on group two to confirm the best-fitted solution.
The Gambling Related Cognition Scale (GRCS) was developed for this study and the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the Motivation Towards Gambling Scale (MTGS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) were used for validation.
Exploratory factor analysis performed using half the sample indicated five factors, which included interpretative control/bias (GRCS-IB), illusion of control (GRCS-IC), predictive control (GRCS-PC), gambling-related expectancies (GRCS-GE) and a perceived inability to stop gambling (GRCS-IS). These accounted for 70% of the total variance. Using the other half of the sample, CFA confirmed that the five-factor solution fitted the data most effectively. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the factors ranged from 0.77 to 0.91, and 0.93 for the overall scale.
This paper demonstrated that the 23-item GRCS has good psychometric properties and thus is a useful instrument for identifying GRC among non-clinical gamblers. It provides the first step towards devising/adapting similar tools for problem gamblers as well as developing more specialized instruments to assess particular domains of GRC.
A computer-based intervention was designed to change perceived threat, perceived efficacy, attitudes, and knowledge regarding pregnancy, STD, and HIV prevention in rural adolescents. The intervention, which was guided largely by the extended parallel process model (Witte, 199250.
Witte , K. 1992. Putting the fear back into fear appeals: The extended parallel process model. Communication Monographs, 59: 329–349. [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®]View all references), was implemented and evaluated in nine rural high schools using an institutional cycle pretest–posttest control-group design (Campbell & Stanley, 196311.
Campbell , D. T. and
Stanley , J. C. 1963. Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for research, Boston: Houghton Mifflin. [Taylor & Francis Online]View all references; Cook & Campbell, 197917.
Cook , T. and
Campbell , D. 1979. Quasi-experimentation: Design and analysis issues for field settings, Boston: Houghton Mifflin. [Taylor & Francis Online]View all references). Eight-hundred eighty-seven ninth-graders completed the survey at both points in time. Process evaluation results indicated that the intervention was implemented as intended, and that over 91% of students in the treatment group completed at least one of the six computer-based activities (M = 3.46, SD = 1.44 for those doing at least one activity). Two-way mixed-model repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that students in the treatment group outperformed students in the control group on knowledge, condom self-efficacy, attitude toward waiting to have sex, and perceived susceptibility to HIV. These results suggest that computer-based programs may be a cost-effective and easily replicable means of providing teens with basic information and skills necessary to prevent pregnancy, STDs, and HIV.
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
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