At-Risk/Problematic Shopping and Gambling in Adolescence

Abstract

Elevated levels of both pathological gambling (PG) and problem shopping (PS) have been reported among adolescents, and each is associated with a range of other negative health/functioning measures. However, relationships between PS and PG, particularly during adolescence, are not well understood. In this study, we explored the relationship between different levels of problem-gambling severity and health/functioning characteristics, gambling-related social experiences, gambling behaviors and motivations among adolescents with and without at-risk/problematic shopping (ARPS). Survey data from Connecticut high school students (n=2,100) were analyzed using bivariate analyses and logistic regression modeling. Although at-risk/problematic gambling (ARPG) was not increased among adolescents with ARPS, adolescents with ARPG (versus non-gamblers) were more likely to report having experienced a growing tension or anxiety that could only be relieved by shopping and missing other obligations due to shopping. In comparison to the non-ARPS group, a smaller proportion of respondents in the ARPS group reported paid part-time employment, whereas a greater proportion of respondents reported excessive gambling by peers and feeling concerned over the gambling of a close family member. In general, similar associations between problem-gambling severity and measures of health/functioning and gambling-related behaviors and motivations were observed across ARPS and non-ARPS adolescents. However, associations were weaker among ARPS adolescents for several variables: engagement in extracurricular activities, alcohol and caffeine use and gambling for financial reasons. These findings suggest a complex relationship between problem-gambling severity and ARPS. They highlight the importance of considering co-occurring risk behaviors such as ARPS when treating adolescents with at-risk/problem gambling.

Relationships Between Perceived Family Gambling and Peer Gambling and Adolescent Problem Gambling and Binge-Drinking

“…Only the participants who responded to all MAGS items were stratified into gambling groups. As in prior studies (Yip et al 2014; Potenza et al 2011; Rahman et al 2012; Slavin et al 2013), participants who reported past-year gambling but did not endorse any DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling were classified as having low-risk gambling. Participants who endorsed one to two diagnostic criteria were classified as having at-risk gambling, while those who endorsed three or more were classified as having problem/pathological gambling.…”

Problem gambling, associations with comorbid health conditions, substance use, and behavioural addictions: Opportunities for pathways to treatment

“…these conditions [22,23]. It has previously been established in research on the association of problem gambling and shopping addiction that adolescents with problematic gambling are more likely to suffer from anxiety which could only be relieved by shopping [24]. Problematic gaming has also been found to be positively correlated with problem gambling [25].…”

Factors Statistically Predicting At-Risk/Problematic Internet Use in a Sample of Young Adolescent Boys and Girls in South Korea

“…The most appropriate thresholding for PIU has been debated ( 17 ), and data suggest that the more stringent thresholding used in diagnostic criteria for behavioral as compared to substance addictions may miss clinically relevant groups ( 18 ). Given that youth may have their developmental trajectories may be negatively impacted by engagement in sub-diagnostic engagement in risk behaviors, we opted to investigate PIU using a relatively liberal threshold (which we term at-risk/PIU, or ARPIU), as we have in prior studies ( 19 – 22 ).…”