Self-Identification as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Gambling-Related Perceived Norms and Gambling Behavior

Abstract

This research was designed to evaluate social influences and perceived social norms on gambling behavior among undergraduate students. Furthermore, this research was designed to replicate and extend previous research demonstrating that young adults overestimate the prevalence of gambling among peers, and that the magnitude of overestimation is positively associated with own use (Larimer and Neighbors, Psychol Addict Behav 17:235–243, 2003). We expected that; (1) gambling college students would identify more strongly with other gambling students compared to other students in general; (2) identification with other gambling students would predict gambling behaviors over and above perceived prevalence of gambling; and (3) identification with other gambling students would moderate the association between perceived social norms and gambling behavior. Participants included 1,486 undergraduate students who completed measures assessing gambling quantity and frequency, gambling-related perceived descriptive norms, and identification with groups. Results revealed that perceived norms for gambling were associated with gambling and revealed that students identified more strongly with other students than either gamblers or student gamblers. However, gambling behavior was more strongly associated with identification with gambling students than students in general. There was consistent support for the perspective that social identity moderates the association between perceived norms for gambling and gambling behavior. This research builds on previous examinations of social influences related to gambling and suggests that it may be important to consider the overall prevalence of a given behavior before considering norms-based intervention approaches. Interventions utilizing social norms for gambling may be advised to consider references other than just the typical student.

Efficacy of personalized normative feedback as a brief intervention for college student gambling: A randomized controlled trial.

“…The initial validation of the scale (Neighbors et al, 2002) revealed wins and losses to be highly correlated and that these items are significantly associated with several frequently used gambling outcomes measures, including SOGS, Gamblers Anonymous 20, and the Gambling Attitudes and Beliefs Scale. Previous results using this measure indicate that people are more likely to exaggerate wins than losses, suggesting a need to differentiate them (Foster et al, 2014). …”

“…Foster and colleagues (2014) examined whether identifying with other gambling college students moderated the association between perceived gambling norms and gambling behaviors. Results showed that identification with gambling students was more strongly associated with gambling behavior than identification with students in general.…”

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

“…While the effects of family-related gambling remain relatively stable over early development, peer gambling factors may be particularly important for initiation and maintenance of gambling in adolescence (Foster et al 2015; Foster et al 2014; Gupta and Derevensky 1997). Adolescents with at-risk/problem gambling are more likely to have friends who also gamble (Gori et al 2015).…”

Correlates of gambling on high-school grounds

“…Gambling-related perceptions have been linked to engagement in gambling (Foster, Neighbors, Rodriguez, Lazorwitz, & Gonzales, 2014; Leeman et al, 2014) and substance-use behaviors (Leeman et al, 2014). Extant literature related to adolescent perceptions about gambling indicates that perceptions of family and friends’ support for refraining against gambling may protect against problem gambling (Hardoon, Gupta, & Derevensky, 2004).…”

“…Furthermore, relative to non-problem gamblers, at-risk/problem gamblers are more likely to have friends who gamble, and are also more likely to approve of gambling behavior (Gori et al, 2014). Additionally, perceived norms for gambling (e.g., perceiving that gambling is prevalent among or more accepted by peers) have been tied to gambling behavior (Foster et al, 2014). …”