Preventing Adolescent Gambling Problems

Sensation Seeking and Gambling Behavior in Adolescence: Can Externalizing Problems Moderate this Relationship?

“…Adolescence is a crucial transitional period characterized by significant physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes [1]. In particular, it represents a vulnerable phase to maladjustment [2] and the implementation of addiction and risk-taking behaviors [3,4]. This is due to the fact that, in general, adolescents lack recognition and/or awareness of the potential negative effects of risk behavior, have a self-perceived invulnerability, and have a high level of sensation seeking and risk-taking, to which a not fully developed cognitive ability may also be added [3,[5][6][7].…”

“…In particular, it represents a vulnerable phase to maladjustment [2] and the implementation of addiction and risk-taking behaviors [3,4]. This is due to the fact that, in general, adolescents lack recognition and/or awareness of the potential negative effects of risk behavior, have a self-perceived invulnerability, and have a high level of sensation seeking and risk-taking, to which a not fully developed cognitive ability may also be added [3,[5][6][7]. Therefore, it is not surprising that, as often happens with other forms of addiction [4], adolescence is a critical period in which gambling behaviors arise and can become problematic [8].…”

“…Gambling behaviors themselves represent a risk-taking activity because they include those behaviors that involve betting money or items of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome in the hope of obtaining further money and/or material goods [9]. In this regard, recent literature has highlighted that gambling is spreading widely among adolescents, so much so that it has become a serious social and public health problem [10][11][12][13] with deleterious psychological, social, relational, and financial consequences, both in the short-and long-term [3,14,15]. In particular, a recent systematic review conducted by Calado et al [11] showed that 0.2-12.3% of adolescents meet the criteria for being classified as problem gamblers.…”

“…This rapid increase may be due to the fact that, in addition to the very large and widespread dissemination of slot machines and scratch card dealers, in recent years, technological and information technology developments have favored the proliferation of a large number of games and apps linked to gambling. These games and apps are easily accessible and available even to minors since access restrictions are easily circumvented [3].…”

Problem gambling and associated mental health concerns in elite athletes: a narrative review

“…In the 2016 NCAA survey, the three most effective ways to influence collegiate athletes not to wager on sports were by coaches, NCAA-imposed penalties and discussions with team mates 60. From a preventative perspective, more educational programmes are recommended 109. For collegiate athletes, it is important to allow those with a gambling problem to go on academic or athletic leave when recovery considerations predominate.…”