Substance Use and Gambling Patterns Among Adolescents: Differences According to Gender and Impulsivity

Abstract

Although alcohol, tobacco and cannabis are the most prevalent drugs used by adolescents, gambling is a growing concern due to its increasing popularity. To date there have been few studies exploring the existing patterns of concurrent use of drugs and gambling in adolescents. This study aims to identify subpopulations of adolescents using different substances and gambling activities, to explore gender differences and to examine impulsivity as a predictor of class membership. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 22 highschools, and 1,644 adolescents were assessed (54.1% males; mean age = 15.21 years, SD = 0.75). Participants reported their last-year frequency of using alcohol, tobacco and cannabis, as well as bingo, poker, other casino games, sports betting, lottery, scratch tickets and electronic gaming machines. Problem drinking was evaluated with the Rutgers Alcohol Problems Index, and gambling severity with the South Oaks Gambling Scale for Adolescents. Impulsivity was assessed using a Delay Discounting task, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and the Impulsive Sensation-Seeking Scale. Based on a latent class model of drugs and gambling activities, four subpopulations of males and five of females were found. General impulsivity and sensation seeking were the most consistent predictors of class membership. These novel findings support the need to consider specific groups of adolescents engaging in different patterns of addictive behaviors when implementing selective prevention strategies.

Problematic Facebook use and problematic video gaming as mediators of relationship between impulsivity and life satisfaction among female and male gamers

“…Taken together, it can be assumed that gender can be a moderator of the relationship between impulsivity and problematic behavior as well as and life satisfaction and problematic behaviors such as PVG and PFU. However, previous studies [88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95] have reported a non-consistent pattern of gender differences in these relationships. Consequently, it is important to understand the differences between males and females in the relationship between impulsivity and problematic behavior as well as life satisfaction and these types of behaviors.…”

“…Additionally, Martínez-Loredo et al [90] identified latent profiles of individuals using different substances and gambling activities, including gender and impulsivity. They reported that general impulsivity was an essential predictor of class membership such as cigarette smokers with alcohol abuse and exclusively among male gamblers.…”

“…In this context, and taking into account previous research reporting the relationship between impulsivity and problematic behaviors such as PVG and PFU [ 58 , 64 , 66 , 67 , 69 ] and the relationship between these behaviors and low life satisfaction [ 17 – 19 ], it can be assumed that PVG and PFU mediate the relationship between impulsivity and life satisfaction. Considering the gender differences in the relationship between problematic behaviors and impulsivity dimensions [ 79 , 93 ] as well as between problematic behaviors and life satisfaction [ 88 , 90 ], it should also be considered whether the pattern of these relationships is similar for both genders. Consequently, taking into account the theoretical considerations and aforementioned findings, the following hypotheses were formulated:…”

Attitudes, Risk Factors, and Behaviours of Gambling among Adolescents and Young People: A Literature Review and Gap Analysis

“…Differences between gambling participation rates were suggested to be in part attributed to whether all gambling activities, such as playing cards with family, the lotto, or private wagering with peers, were included [23,35], and whether the study population involved lower sociodemographic characteristics, for example unemployment [19] or being from developing countries, whose youth may have a greater attraction to gambling as a means to overcome poverty [39]. Problem gambling prevalence rates ranged between 1.1% [10] to 9.8% [40], with the majority of studies reporting ranges between 3.6 to 5.6% [23,[41][42][43][44][45]. Older (16-19 years) adolescents were more likely to have problems with gambling than younger (13-15 years) adolescents [46].…”

The Relationship between Impulsiveness, Self-Esteem, Irrational Gambling Belief and Problem Gambling Moderating Effects of Gender

“…Given that gambling can lead to severe adverse consequences and become a progressive disease, many adolescents who have experienced gambling are at risk of problem gambling [ 6 ]. In addition, problem gambling results in personal difficulties such as a loss of money, anxiety and depression, suicide risk, and relationship problems [ 7 , 8 ]. For these reasons, studies have been conducted to elucidate the variables affecting problem gambling.…”