Adolescent Alcohol-Drinking Frequency and Problem-Gambling Severity: Adolescent Perceptions regarding Problem-Gambling Prevention and Parental/Adult Behaviors and Attitudes. Issue 4 (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rahman, Ardeshir S.; Balodis, Iris M.; Pilver, Corey E.; Leeman, Robert F.; Hoff, Rani A.; Steinberg, Marvin A.; Rugle, Loreen; Krishnan-Sarin, Suchitra; Potenza, Marc N.
• Is Part Of: Substance abuse. Volume 35:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 426
• Page End: 434
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: Adolescence -- alcohol drinking -- gambling -- gambling prevention -- parental attitudes; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Medical education -- Periodicals; Education, Medical -- periodicals; Substance Abuse -- periodicals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2014.951754
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0889-7077

Abstract

Background: The study examined in adolescents how alcohol-drinking frequency relates to gambling-related attitudes and behaviors and perceptions of both problem-gambling prevention strategies and adult (including parental) behaviors/attitudes. Methods: A survey assessing alcohol, gambling, and health and functioning measures in 1609 high school students. Students were stratified into low-frequency/nondrinking and high-frequency-drinking groups, and into low-risk and at-risk/problematic gambling groups. Results: High-frequency drinking was associated with at-risk/problematic gambling (χ 2 (1, N = 1842) = 49.22, P < .0001). High-frequency-drinking versus low-frequency/nondrinking adolescents exhibited more permissive attitudes towards gambling (e.g., less likely to report multiple problem-gambling prevention efforts to be important). At-risk problematic gamblers exhibited more severe drinking patterns and greater likelihood of acknowledging parental approval of drinking (χ 2 (1, N = 1842) = 31.58, P < .0001). Problem-gambling severity was more strongly related to gambling with adults among high-frequency-drinking adolescents (odds ratio [OR] = 3.17, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = [1.97, 5.09]) versus low-frequency/nondrinking (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = [0.61, 2.68]) adolescents (interaction OR = 1.78, 95% CI = [1.05, 3.02]). Conclusions: Interrelationships between problematic drinking and gambling in youth may relate to more permissive attitudes across these domains. Stronger links between at-risk/problem gambling and gambling with adults in the high-frequency-drinking group raises the possibility that interventions targeting adults may help mitigate youth gambling and drinking.