Pathological Gambling and Related Problems Among Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 180679
• Journal: Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: 1999 Pages: 55-68
• Author(s): Robert Ladouceur; Normand Boudreault; Christian Jacques; Frank Vitaro
• Editor(s): Frank De Piano Ph.D., Vincent B. Van Hasselt Ph.D.
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The prevalence of pathological gambling and related problems was investigated for a sample of 3,426 students in junior and senior high schools in Quebec City, Canada.

Abstract

Questionnaires were distributed during the winter of 1996 to obtain information on the prevalence of pathological gambling, self-reported delinquency, grades, drug and alcohol use, and suicidal behaviors. Results indicated that 87 percent of adolescents had gambled in their lifetime; 77 percent had gambled in the last 12 months, and 13 percent had gambled at least once a week. More than twice as many boys (18.8 percent) than girls (8 percent) gambled every week. The rate of pathological gamblers among adolescents was 2.6 percent. This rate was higher among boys (3.7 percent) than girls (1.5 percent). Pathological gambling was associated with drug and alcohol use, poor grades, and delinquent behaviors. Practical and theoretical ramifications of the findings are discussed. 37 references, 3 tables, and 1 figure