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Dodig Hundric D, Mandic S, Ricijas N. Short-Term Effectiveness of the Youth Gambling Prevention Program "Who Really Wins?"-Results from the First National Implementation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:10100. [PMID: 34639404 PMCID: PMC8507822 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Dodig Hundric
- Department of Behavioral Disorders, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.M.); (N.R.)
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Calado F, Alexandre J, Rosenfeld L, Pereira R, Griffiths MD. The Efficacy of a Gambling Prevention Program Among High-School Students. J Gambl Stud 2020; 36:573-595. [PMID: 31712967 PMCID: PMC7214490 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-019-09908-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Calado
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK.
| | - Joana Alexandre
- Department of Psychology, ISCTE - CIS/IUL - Lisbon University Institute, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Liah Rosenfeld
- Department of Psychology, ISCTE - CIS/IUL - Lisbon University Institute, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rafaela Pereira
- Department of Psychology, ISCTE - CIS/IUL - Lisbon University Institute, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mark D Griffiths
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK
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Parham BR, Robertson C, Lever N, Hoover S, Palmer T, Lee P, Willis K, Prout J. Enhancing the Relevance and Effectiveness of a Youth Gambling Prevention Program for Urban, Minority Youth: A Pilot Study of Maryland Smart Choices. J Gambl Stud 2020; 35:1249-1267. [PMID: 30121840 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-018-9797-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Youth with problem gambling behaviors are susceptible to serious academic, behavioral, and mental health consequences including school failure, criminal involvement, and depression. Coupled with increased exposure to gambling formats, issues related to youth gambling have been deemed a serious public health issue requiring increased prevention efforts. However, the literature is limited in terms of evidence-based gambling prevention programs warranting the development of The Maryland Smart Choices Program (MD-Smart Choices), a gambling prevention program for middle and high school youth. This 3-session, 45-min program was developed for implementation in Baltimore City Public Schools, an urban and predominately African American district with specific aims to engage students, encourage positive behavior, and facilitate learning related to gambling disorder. Pre-post program participation assessments were collected from 72 students across 5 different schools. Results yielded significant increases in student awareness and knowledge following participation in MD-Smart Choices. Focus group data collected from program facilitators suggested high student engagement and participation, program feasibility, and ease of implementation. Study implications and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany R Parham
- Center for School Mental Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 737 West Lombard Street (4th Floor), Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| | - Carl Robertson
- The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 5900 Waterloo Road, Suite 200, Columbia, MD, 20145, USA
| | - Nancy Lever
- Center for School Mental Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 737 West Lombard Street (4th Floor), Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Sharon Hoover
- Center for School Mental Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 737 West Lombard Street (4th Floor), Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Tracy Palmer
- Department of Psychology, Northern Virginia Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 22003, USA
| | - Phyllis Lee
- Department of Psychological Science, Eastern Connecticut State University, 83 Windham Street, Willimantic, CT, 06226, USA
| | - Kelly Willis
- Center for School Mental Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 737 West Lombard Street (4th Floor), Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Joanna Prout
- Center for School Mental Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 737 West Lombard Street (4th Floor), Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
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Donati MA, Chiesi F, Iozzi A, Manfredi A, Fagni F, Primi C. Gambling-Related Distortions and Problem Gambling in Adolescents: A Model to Explain Mechanisms and Develop Interventions. Front Psychol 2018; 8:2243. [PMID: 29354081 PMCID: PMC5760557 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although a number of gambling preventive initiatives have been realized with adolescents, many of them have been developed in absence of a clear and explicitly described theoretical model. The present work was aimed to analyze the adequacy of a model to explain gambling behavior referring to gambling-related cognitive distortions (Study 1), and to verify the effectiveness of a preventive intervention developed on the basis of this model (Study 2). Following dual-process theories on cognitive functioning, in Study 1 we tested a model in which mindware gap, i.e., susceptibility to the gambler's fallacy, and contaminated mindware, i.e., superstitious thinking, were the antecedents of gambling-related cognitive distortions that, in turn, affect gambling frequency and problem gambling. Participants were 306 male adolescents (Mage = 17.2 years). A path analysis indicated that cognitive distortions have a mediating role in the relationship that links probabilistic reasoning fallacy and superstitious thinking with problem gambling. Following these findings, in Study 2 we developed a school-based intervention aimed to reduce gambling-related cognitive distortions acting on the above cited mindware problems. A pre- and post-test design - with a 6 months follow-up - was performed with 34 male adolescents (Mage = 16.8), randomly assigned to two groups (Training and No Training), and their baseline equivalence was verified. A Mixed 2 × 2 ANOVA attested a significant Time X Group interaction, indicating a significant reduction of the cognitive distortions from pre-test to post-test only in the Training group. The follow-up attested to the stability of the training effects and the reduction of gambling frequency over time. These findings suggest that prevention strategies should address mindware problems, which can be considered as predictors of gambling-related cognitive distortions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Chiesi
- Department of Neurofarba, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Adriana Iozzi
- UFC SerD Zona 1 Firenze, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Fagni
- UFC SerD Pistoia-Valdinievole, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Florence, Italy
| | - Caterina Primi
- Department of Neurofarba, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Mouneyrac A, Le Floch V, Lemercier C, Py J, Roumegue M. Promoting responsible gambling via prevention messages: insights from the evaluation of actual European messages. INTERNATIONAL GAMBLING STUDIES 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/14459795.2017.1350198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Mouneyrac
- Department of Psychology, CLLE, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Valérie Le Floch
- Department of Psychology, CLLE, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Céline Lemercier
- Department of Psychology, CLLE, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Jacques Py
- Department of Psychology, CLLE, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Maxime Roumegue
- Department of Psychology, CLLE, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
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Keen B, Blaszczynski A, Anjoul F. Systematic Review of Empirically Evaluated School-Based Gambling Education Programs. J Gambl Stud 2017; 33:301-325. [PMID: 27566689 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-016-9641-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany Keen
- Responsible Gambling Research Group, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney University, 94 Mallett St, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.
| | - Alex Blaszczynski
- Responsible Gambling Research Group, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney University, 94 Mallett St, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Fadi Anjoul
- Responsible Gambling Research Group, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney University, 94 Mallett St, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
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Theory of Planned Behavior in School-Based Adolescent Problem Gambling Prevention: A Conceptual Framework. J Prim Prev 2016; 36:361-85. [PMID: 26480847 DOI: 10.1007/s10935-015-0404-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
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 preventive interventions aimed at modifying cognitions and behavior. However, the utility of the TPB has yet to be explored as a framework for the development of adolescent problem gambling prevention initiatives. This paper first examines the existing empirical literature addressing the effectiveness of school-based primary prevention programs for adolescent gambling. Given the limitations of existing programs, we then present a conceptual framework for the integration of the TPB in the development of effective problem gambling preventive interventions. The paper describes the TPB, demonstrates how the framework has been applied to gambling behavior, and reviews the strengths and limitations of the model for the design of primary prevention initiatives targeting adolescent risk and addictive behaviors, including adolescent gambling.
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Kourgiantakis T, Stark S, Lobo DSS, Tepperman L. Parent problem gambling: A systematic review of prevention programs for children. JOURNAL OF GAMBLING ISSUES 2016. [DOI: 10.4309/jgi.2016.33.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Donati MA, Primi C, Chiesi F. Prevention of problematic gambling behavior among adolescents: testing the efficacy of an integrative intervention. J Gambl Stud 2015; 30:803-18. [PMID: 23832756 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-013-9398-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed at testing the efficacy of an integrative intervention to prevent adolescent problem gambling acting on a multidimensional set of factors including gambling related knowledge and misconceptions, economic perception of gambling, and superstitious thinking. A pre- and post-test design was performed with 181 Italian adolescents (64% boys; Mean age = 15.95) randomly assigned to two groups (Training and No Training). Results revealed that the intervention was effective in improving correct knowledge about gambling and reducing misconceptions, perception of gambling's profitability, and superstitious thinking. Except for misconceptions, these effects were obtained both in participants who were classified as Non-problem and At-Risk/Problem gamblers at the beginning of the intervention. Findings attested also that the training effects were stable over time, and that some changes in gambling behavior were produced. Findings were discussed referring to indications for future research aiming at confirming and extending the present results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Anna Donati
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child's Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Psychology, University of Florence, Via di San Salvi 12, Padiglione 26, 50135, Florence, Italy,
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10
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Ladouceur R, Goulet A, Vitaro F. Prevention programmes for youth gambling: a review of the empirical evidence. INTERNATIONAL GAMBLING STUDIES 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/14459795.2012.740496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Walther B, Hanewinkel R, Morgenstern M. Short-term effects of a school-based program on gambling prevention in adolescents. J Adolesc Health 2013; 52:599-605. [PMID: 23375824 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2012] [Revised: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 11/09/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birte Walther
- Institute for Therapy and Health Research (IFT-Nord), Kiel, Germany.
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12
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Giroux I, Ferland F, Savard C, Beaulieu G, LaBoissonnière AM, Dussault AM, Côt_ K, Leclerc M. Évaluation d'un site Web de sensibilisation sur le jeu excessif s'adressant aux jeunes adultes. JOURNAL OF GAMBLING ISSUES 2012. [DOI: 10.4309/jgi.2012.27.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Transmettre de l'information sur les jeux de hasard et d'argent (JHA) semble être une façon efficace de sensibiliser la population aux problèmes de jeu. L'utilisation d'un site Web comme outil de sensibilisation peut être une approche adaptée pour atteindre les jeunes adultes puisqu'ils naviguent souvent sur Internet. Avant de lancer un tel site Web à l'ensemble de la population, il est important d'évaluer si la transmission d'informations par cet outil de communication est efficace pour informer les jeunes adultes sur les problèmes de jeu. Le but de la présente étude est d'évaluer si la transmission d'informations sur les JHA par le biais d'un site Web de sensibilisation permet d'améliorer les connaissances et de favoriser la reconnaissance des mythes associés au jeu. L'étude vise également à vérifier la satisfaction des utilisateurs envers le site Web. Cent joueurs réguliers âgés de 18 à 25 ans ont été répartis entre le groupe expérimental (consultation du site Web) et le groupe contrôle (lecture de magazines). Les participants devaient, pendant 30 minutes, naviguer sur le site ou lire des articles de revues et remplir les questionnaires expérimentaux avant et après leur tâche. Conformément au postulat de départ, les participants du groupe expérimental sont plus nombreux que ceux du groupe contrôle à rapporter des connaissances justes en matière de JHA et à pouvoir identifier les mythes reliés aux JHA après la consultation du site. Lors du post-test, les participants du groupe expérimental sont également plus nombreux à manifester des connaissances plus justes et à identifier correctement les mythes comparativement au prétest. En outre, ils ont aimé la présentation visuelle et la facilité de navigation du site. Les implications des résultats sont discutées.
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Williams RJ, Wood RT, Currie SR. Stacked Deck: an effective, school-based program for the prevention of problem gambling. J Prim Prev 2010; 31:109-25. [PMID: 20405219 DOI: 10.1007/s10935-010-0212-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Williams
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, TIJ 3X1, Canada.
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Brezing C, Derevensky JL, Potenza MN. Non-substance-addictive behaviors in youth: pathological gambling and problematic Internet use. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2010; 19:625-41. [PMID: 20682225 PMCID: PMC3673531 DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2010.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence is characterized by participation in multiple novel and potentially risky behaviors. Amongst these behaviors are gambling and use of the Internet, and excessive engagement in these activities (as seen in pathological gambling and problematic Internet use) may be accompanied by serious impairments in school, mental health, and social functioning. This article reviews the potential impact of pathological gambling and problematic Internet use in youth, the relevance of subsyndromal levels of participation, and how prevention and treatment strategies may be considered and tested within a developmental framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Brezing
- University of Florida College of Medicine 2255 NW 16 Terrace Gainesville, FL 32605
| | - Jeffrey L. Derevensky
- International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High Risk Behaviors McGill University 3724 McTavish Street Montreal, Quebec H3A 1Y2 Tel: 514-398-1391
| | - Marc N. Potenza
- Departments of Psychiatry and Child Study Center Yale University School of Medicine Connecticut Mental Health Center 34 Park Street New Haven, CT, 06519 Tel: 203-974-7356 Fax: 203-974-7366
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French MT, Maclean JC, Ettner SL. Drinkers and bettors: investigating the complementarity of alcohol consumption and problem gambling. Drug Alcohol Depend 2008; 96:155-64. [PMID: 18430523 PMCID: PMC2710110 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2007] [Revised: 02/25/2008] [Accepted: 02/26/2008] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Regulated gambling is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States with greater than 100% increases in revenue over the past decade. Along with this rise in gambling popularity and gaming options comes an increased risk of addiction and the associated social costs. This paper focuses on the effect of alcohol use on gambling-related problems. Variables correlated with both alcohol use and gambling may be difficult to observe, and the inability to include these items in empirical models may bias coefficient estimates. After addressing the endogeneity of alcohol use when appropriate, we find strong evidence that problematic gambling and alcohol consumption are complementary activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T. French
- University of Miami, Department of Sociology, 5202 University Drive, Merrick Building, Room 121F, P.O. Box 248162, Coral Gables, FL 33124-2030, USA.; 1-305-284-6039 (phone); 1-305-284-5310 (fax);
| | - Johanna Catherine Maclean
- College of Human Ecology, Department of Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-4401, USA
| | - Susan L. Ettner
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1736, USA
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