| Literature DB >> 26014673 |
Yi Shen1, Sylvia Kairouz, Louise Nadeau, Chantal Robillard.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In an effort to provide further empirical evidence of meaningful differences, this study explores, in a student population, the distinctions in gambling behavioral patterns and specific associated problems of two levels of gambling severity by comparing problem gamblers (PG) and moderate-risk gamblers (MR) as defined by the score on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI; MR: 3-7; PG: 8 and more).Entities:
Keywords: addictive behaviours; at-risk gambling; gambling habits; problem gambling; social context; university students
Mesh:
Year: 2015 PMID: 26014673 PMCID: PMC4500885 DOI: 10.1556/2006.4.2015.002
Source DB: PubMed Journal: J Behav Addict ISSN: 2062-5871 Impact factor: 6.756
Prevalence of most popular gambling activitiesa and gambling locations among undergraduates who are moderate-risk or problem gamblers (N = 79)
| Moderate-risk gamblers | Problem gamblers ( | Comparison | ||
| % | % | OR | ||
| Gambling activities | ||||
| Lottery | 62.1 | 71.4 | 1.04 (0.3–3.4) | 0.947 |
| Poker | 41.4 | 71.4 | 5.01 (1.5–17.1) | 0.010 |
| VLTs | 37.9 | 61.9 | 2.37 (0.8–6.9) | 0.114 |
| Table games | 27.6 | 47.6 | 1.69 (0.6–5.2) | 0.353 |
| Sports betting | 12.1 | 42.9 | 6.32 (1.8–22.5) | 0.004 |
| Gambling locations | ||||
| Private residence | 36.2 | 66.7 | 5.74 (1.7–19.5) | 0.005 |
| Public locations | 53.4 | 80.9 | 3.80 (1.1–13.2) | 0.036 |
| Internet | 19.0 | 66.7 | 10.08 (2.9–35.2) | <0.001 |
Note: OR = odds ratio; CI = confidence interval; Controlled for gender and place of birth in all regression analyses.
aReference group: moderate-risk gamblers;
bIncludes only the five most popular gambling types;
cCasino, and Bar/Pub/Tavern/Resto-Bar.
Level of involvement in gambling activities among undergraduates who are moderate-risk or problem gamblers (N = 79)
| Moderate-risk gamblers ( | Problem gamblers ( | Comparison | ||||||
| Median | Mean (SD) | Min–Max | Median | Mean (SD) | Min–Max | z§ | ||
| Monthly spending | 57.5 | 1367.2 (8146.5) | 2–60,030 | 850 | 2002.9 (4298.4) | 1–20,000 | 3.593 | 0.0003 |
| Annual debt | 50 | 454.8 (1145.6) | 0–6,000 | 850 | 2738.9 (4273.1) | 0–15,050 | 3.552 | 0.0004 |
| Total number of activities | 2 | 2.4 (1.3) | 1–6 | 4 | 3.7 (1.8) | 1–10 | 3.249 | 0.0012 |
| % | 95% CI | % | 95% CI | X2§ | ||||
| Number of activities | ||||||||
| One or two | 58.6 | 45.6–71.6 | 23.8 | 4.8–42.8 | 7.48 | 0.006 | ||
| Three or more | 41.4 | 28.4–54.4 | 76.2 | 57.2–95.2 | ||||
Note: Number of gambling activities over the past 12 months of gamblers with monthly spending and annual debt of over $100. §The Mann–Whitney test was used to compare medians and the exact p-value is reported, and Fisher’s exact test was used to compare proportions.
Associated problems to gambling according to severity (N = 79)
| Variables | Moderate-risk gamblers ( | Problem gamblers ( | Comparison | |
| % | % | OR (95% CI) | ||
| Psychological distress | 22.4 | 50.0 | 4.67 (1.4–15.4) | 0.011 |
| Daily smoking | 10.3 | 40.0 | 4.44 (1.2–15.9) | 0.022 |
| Weekly use of marijuana | 15.5 | 35.0 | 2.94 (0.9–9.8) | 0.079 |
| Harmful/Hazardous drinking | 37.5 | 44.4 | 1.74 (0.5–5.7) | 0.355 |
| Possible alcohol dependence | 19.6 | 38.9 | 4.20 (1.1–15.7) | 0.033 |
Note: Reference group: moderate-risk gamblers; OR = odds ratio; CI = confidence interval; Controlled for gender and place of birth in all regression analyses.