Herding bias influences the relationship between parental monitoring and problem gambling among Nigerian youths

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Author(s): Awo, Larry O. ; Ezeh, Val C. ; Ekwe, Kate N. ; Onu, Desmond U.

Journal: Journal of Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2021

Date Added: September 08, 2021

Gambling is quite common among youths in Nigeria. Parental monitoring and herding bias may influence youth gambling. Parental monitoring refers to parents being aware of their children’s activities and whereabouts, including when they are with peers. Herding bias describes a tendency to follow others’ decisions without thinking about the outcomes. In this study, the researchers surveyed 238 male students between the ages of 16–19 years. All of the youths had bet on soccer in the previous two weeks. The results showed that herding bias influenced the relationship between parental monitoring and problem gambling. For youths with a low level of herding bias, higher parental monitoring was associated with less problematic gambling behaviours. However, for youths with a high level of herding bias, higher parental monitoring was associated with more problematic gambling behaviours.

Citation: Awo, L. O., Ezeh, V. C., Ekwe, K. N., & Onu, D. U. (2021). Moderating effects of herding bias on the relationship between parental monitoring and problem gambling of youths. Journal of Gambling Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10061-y

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10061-y

Keywords: adolescents ; biases ; monitoring ; parents ; peer influence ; problem gambling ; South Oaks Gambling Screen - Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA) ; sports betting ; youth ; youth gambling

Topics: Children and Youth ; Priority Populations ; South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) ; Sports Betting

Conceptual Framework Factors: Gambling Types ; Social - Family and Peer Gambling Involvement ; Social - Social Demographics ; Psychological - Lifespan Development ; Social Factors

Response Rate: 96.02% at first screening (411 consented to participate from 492 who indicated sports betting); 97.14% return rate for the final survey (238 out of 245 surveys being distributed)

Study Design: Observational: Cross-sectional

Geographic Coverage: Nigeria, Rivers State

Study Population: Male youths aged 16–18 years old with an interest in sports betting, had placed a bet on soccer at least once in the past two weeks, and scored one or above on the SOGS-RA (N = 238)

Sampling Procedure: Participants were recruited from four Government Secondary Schools in Bonny Island. Students at these schools were first screened if they enjoyed sports to the extent that they could bet on it, and if they had betted on it before. If they did, they were asked to participate and screened with the SOGS-RA. Those who reported mild problem gambling (scoring 1–3 on the SOGS-RA) were administered the rest of the questionnaires.

Study Funding:

No funding was received for this study.