At-Risk and Problem Gambling among Finnish Youth: The Examination of Risky Alcohol Consumption, Tobacco Smoking, Mental Health and Loneliness as Gender-Specific Correlates

Abstract

AIMS -The aims were to compare past-year at-risk and problem gambling (ARPG) and other at-risk behaviours (computer gaming, risky alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking) by age and gender, and to explore how ARPG is associated with risky alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, poor mental health and loneliness in males and females. DESIGN -Data from respondents aged 15-28 (n = 822) were derived from a cross-sectional random sample of population-based data (n = 4484). The data were collected in 2011-2012 by telephone interviews. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI, score≥2) was used to evaluate ARPG. Prevalence rates for risk behaviours were compared for within gender-specific age groups. Regression models were gender-specific. RESULTS -The proportion of at-risk and problem gamblers was higher among males than females in all age groups except among 18-21-year-olds, while frequent computer gaming was higher among males in all age groups. The odds ratio (95% CI) of being a male ARPGer was 2.57 (1.40-4.74) for risky alcohol consumption; 1.95 (1.07-3.56) for tobacco smoking; 2.63 (0.96-7.26) for poor mental health; and 4.41 (1.20-16.23) for feeling lonely. Likewise, the odds ratio (95% CI) of being a female ARPGer was 1.19 (0.45-3.12) for risky alcohol consumption; 4.01 (1.43-11.24) for tobacco smoking; 0.99 (0.18-5.39) for poor mental health; and 6.46 (1.42-29.34) for feeling lonely. All 95% CIs of ARPG correlates overlapped among males and females. CONCLUSIONS -Overall, past-year at-risk and problem gambling and computer gaming seem to be more common among males than females; however, for risky alcohol consumption similar gender differences were evident only for the older half of the sample. No clear gender differences were seen in correlates associated with ARPG.

Peer Group Identification as Determinant of Youth Behavior and the Role of Perceived Social Support in Problem Gambling

“…Consistent with previous literature suggesting that gambling can be considered a lonesome behavior (Edgren et al 2016 ; Khazaal et al 2017 ), we anticipated it to be carried out more frequently by individuals who do not have immediate primary groups with which to identify (Savolainen et al 2018 ). Gambling is then used as a gateway to acceptance with, and integration into, peer groups.…”

Gender comparison of online and land-based gamblers from a nationally representative sample: Does gambling online pose elevated risk?

“…The sum score of the AUDIT-C ranges from 0 to 12 (items scored 0e4), in which a higher score indicates riskier consumption. Risky consumption was defined as scoring 5 or more for females and 6 or more for males (Edgren, Castr en, Jokela, & Salonen, 2016;Kaarne, Aalto, Kuokkanen, & Sepp€ a, 2010). AUDIT-C is capable of detecting risky consumption of alcohol in the general population, and using gender specific cut-offs improves classification accuracy (Dawson, Grant, Stinson, & Zhou, 2005).…”

Gender differences among adolescent gamblers

“…Problem gambling is defined as a recurrent behavior characterized by loss of control and excessive preoccupation with gambling, that leads to a significant impairment in occupational and social life areas (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The prevalence of problem gambling among adolescent males is more than two times higher than in females (Edgren, Castren, Jokela, & Salonen, 2016). Due to the range of sociodemographic (e.g., low educational level), biological (e.g., low serotonin levels) and psychosocial (e.g., high impulsivity) variables proposed as risk factors for gambling initiation (Blaszczynski & Nower, 2002;Castrén et al, 2013;Pérez Fuentes, Molero Jurado, Carrión Martínez, Mercader Rubio, & Gázquez, 2016;Topf, Yip, & Potenza, 2009), current models of addiction conceptualize gambling within a biopsychosocial perspective (Griffiths, 2005).…”