Gambling and Other Risk Behaviors on University Campuses

Abstract

To examine the prevalence of problem gambling and its relationship to other risk-taking behaviors, the authors surveyed 1,350 undergraduates at the 4 campuses of Connecticut State University (CSU) during fall 2000. On the basis of a modified version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen, a widely used screening instrument, they found that 18% of the men and 4% of the women reported that gambling had led to at least 3 negative life consequences (eg, felt guilty, gambled more than intended), commonly defined as problem gambling. Students identified as problem gamblers, compared with other students, were significantly more likely to be heavy drinkers, report negative consequences of alcohol consumption, and be regular tobacco and marijuana users. Problem gambling was related to binge eating and greater use of weight-control efforts. University athletes were also found to have significantly greater problem gambling rates than nonathletes. The majority of students gambled but experienced few of the negative consequences reported by problem gamblers.

Gambling and Video Game Playing Among Youth

“…Consistent with the findings of the majority of gambling research, significantly more males than females had gambled (Bakken, Gotestam, Grawe, Wenzel, & Oren, 2009;Barnes et al, 2010;Bhullar, Simons, & Joshi, 2012;Derevensky & Gupta, 2000b;Engwall, Hunter, & Steinberg, 2004;LaBrie, Shaffer, LaPlante, & Wechsler, 2003;Stuhldreher, Stuhldreher, & Forrest, 2007). Gambling may be more normalized for males than for females, especially during childhood and adolescence, whereas it may be seen less as a way to socialize and more as a risky activity by young females.…”

“…Males are consistently reported to have higher rates of problem gambling than females are (Bakken et al, 2009;Barnes et al, 2010;Blinn-Pike, Worthy, & Jonkman, 2007;Burger, Dahlgren, & MacDonald, 2006;Engwall et al, 2004;Goudriaan, Slutske, Krull, & Sher, 2009;LaBrie et al, 2003;Platz, Knapp, & Crossman, 2005;Stinchfield, Hanson, & Olson, 2006). Although females are not exempt from developing gambling problems, they tend to develop problems later in life, and this was reflected in the current sample.…”

Internet gambling and risk-taking among students: An exploratory study

“…There is evidence of overlap between problem gambling, sensation seeking, and risky behavior in adolescents and college students. Probable pathological gamblers report significantly greater sensation-seeking scores and risk taking behaviors and significantly greater substance-related problems (Engwall et al, 2004;Huang, Jacobs, Derevensky, Gupta & Paskus, 2007b;LaBrie et al, 2003;Stuhldreher et al, 2007;Worthy et al, 2010). College students who see themselves as risk-takers or thrill-seekers also report positive attitudes toward gambling (Kassinove, 1998).…”

“…While some researchers suggest college and university students may be at heightened risk for developing gambling problems (Engwall, Hunter & Steinberg, 2004;Neighbors, Lostutter, Cronce & Larimer, 2002;Platz, Knapp & Crossman, 2005;Volberg, 2002), others report no increase in gambling behavior (LaBrie et al, 2003). Nonetheless, by all indications a significant number of college students report gambling; 67%-76% of college students have gambled in their lifetime (Engwall et al, 2004;Kerber, 2005;Platz et al, 2005;Stuhldreher et al, 2007) and from 42%-92% of students report gambling during the past year (Burger, Dahlgren & MacDonald, 2006;Ellenbogen, Jacobs, Derevensky, Gupta & Paskus, 2008;Huang, Jacobs, Derevensky, Gupta & Paskus, 2007a;LaBrie et al, 2003;Weinstock, Whelan, Meyers & Watson, 2007).…”

“…While some researchers suggest college and university students may be at heightened risk for developing gambling problems (Engwall, Hunter & Steinberg, 2004;Neighbors, Lostutter, Cronce & Larimer, 2002;Platz, Knapp & Crossman, 2005;Volberg, 2002), others report no increase in gambling behavior (LaBrie et al, 2003). Nonetheless, by all indications a significant number of college students report gambling; 67%-76% of college students have gambled in their lifetime (Engwall et al, 2004;Kerber, 2005;Platz et al, 2005;Stuhldreher et al, 2007) and from 42%-92% of students report gambling during the past year (Burger, Dahlgren & MacDonald, 2006;Ellenbogen, Jacobs, Derevensky, Gupta & Paskus, 2008;Huang, Jacobs, Derevensky, Gupta & Paskus, 2007a;LaBrie et al, 2003;Weinstock, Whelan, Meyers & Watson, 2007). Rates for problem gambling among college students range from 2-9% for at-risk to 1-5% for probable pathological gamblers (Burger et al, 2006;Ellenbogen et al, 2008;Engwall et al, 2004;Neighbors et al, 2002;Rockey Jr., Beason, Howington, Rockey & Gilbert, 2005;Skitch & Hodgins, 2005;Weinstock et al, 2007;Winters, Bengston, Door & Stinchfield, 1998;Wong, Chan, Tai & Tao, 2008), with rates up to 15% for student athletes (Kerber, 2005) and 11% for students in Las Vegas (Platz et al, 2005).…”