Problem Gambling and the Youth-to-Adulthood Transition: Assessing Problem Gambling Severity Trajectories in a Sample of Young Adults

Abstract

In this study, using four wave longitudinal data, we examined problem gambling severity trajectories in a sample of young adults. Using latent growth curve modeling, we examined how initial level of problem gambling severity and the rate of change were affected by 11 time-invariant predictors: gender, age of onset of gambling, experiencing a big win early in gambling career, experiencing a big loss early in gambling career, alcohol dependence, drug dependence, anxiety, depression, perceived social support, illusion of control, and impulsiveness. Five of the eleven predictors affected initial levels of problem gambling severity; however only impulsiveness affected the rate of change across time. The mean trajectory was negative (lessening of problem gambling risk severity across time), but there was significant inter-individual variation in trajectories and initial levels of problem gambling severity. The main finding of problem gambling risk diminishing over time challenges the conventional picture of problem gambling as an inevitable "downward spiral," at least among young adults, and suggests that targeted prevention campaigns may be a cost-effective alternative for reaching treatment resistant youth.

A prospective follow-up study of younger and older subjects with pathological gambling

“…Data shown in Figures 1 and 2 are largely consistent with research findings that suggest PGs experience a gradual diminution of gambling severity over time (Shaffer and Hall, 2002; Winters et al, 2002; Slutske et al, 2003; Abbott et al, 2004; DeFuentes-Merillas et al, 2004; LaPlante et al, 2008; Edgerton et al, 2015). The findings were true for younger and older PGs, though a substantial percentage of PGs remained at level 3 gambling during follow-up.…”

“…Custer’s views were primarily informed by his clinical experience and gained wide acceptance despite the lack of supporting data. A review by LaPlante et al (2008), and other work (Sartor et al, 2008; Edgerton et al, 2015), have gradually contributed to a more nuanced view of PG course. LaPlante et al reviewed five studies that met their criteria of reporting follow-up data pertaining to gambling that did not involve a treatment sample (Shaffer and Hall, 2002; Winters et al, 2002; Slutske et al, 2003; Abbott et al, 2004; DeFuentes-Merillas et al, 2004).…”

“…Edgerton et al (2015) followed 679 young adults over four years and found a pattern of lessening, and not worsening gambling severity scores. In the Quinte Study of Gambling and Problem Gambling, Williams et al (2015) followed 4,121 adults to assess problem behaviors and found that problem gamblers and PGs moved toward lower levels of gambling involvement over 5 years.…”

“…Questions remain including whether PG in elders fluctuates in severity and intensity and if gambling behavior spontaneously remits. While DSM-5 promotes the view that PG is chronic and deteriorating, these views have been challenged (Slutske, 2006; Sartor et al, 2007; LaPlante et al, 2008; Edgerton et al, 2015). Research suggests that PG has a natural ebb and flow with many PGs moving toward reduced gambling involvement or experiencing spontaneous (Slutske et al, 2003; Slutske, 2006; LaPlante et al, 2008).…”

Economic Recession Affects Gambling Participation But Not Problematic Gambling: Results from a Population-Based Follow-up Study

“…That is, movement between problem gambling categories over time are rather common among all age groups, but more often in direction of improvement than worsening of symptoms (e.g., Slutske et al, 2003; Abbott et al, 2004; LaPlante et al, 2008; Delfabbro, 2013; Edgerton et al, 2015; Fröberg et al, 2015). …”