Offline social groups and social support may protect young people from problem gambling

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Author(s): Savolainen, Iina ; Sirola, Anu ; Kaakinen, Markus ; Oksanen, Atte

Journal: Journal of Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2018

Date Added: March 26, 2019

The researchers investigated how young people’s social identity affects their risk of developing problem gambling behaviour. They also investigated the influence of social support. Participants were 1,212 young people from the United States and 1,200 young people from Finland. They were 15 to 25 years old. Participants completed an online survey called YouGamble. American and Finnish participants who identified with a primary offline peer group were less likely to have problem gambling behaviour, but only if they felt supported by their peer group. Finnish participants who identified with a primary offline peer group were more likely to have problem gambling behaviour if they felt they had no social support. These results show that focusing on offline peer groups and social support may be important in preventing problem gambling among young people.

Citation: Savolainen, I., Sirola, A., Kaakinen, M., & Oksanen, A. (2018). Peer group identification as determinant of youth behavior and the role of perceived social support in problem gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-018-9813-8

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-018-9813-8

Keywords: adolescents ; cross-cultural ; peer support ; prevention ; problem gambling ; social identity ; social networks ; South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) ; young adults

Topics: Children and Youth ; Cultural Factors ; Gambling Resources ; Information for Operators ; Prevention ; Priority Populations ; Self Perceptions ; South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS)

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological - Social Learning ; Psychological Factors ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Psychological - Lifespan Development ; Social Factors ; Gambling Resources

Response Rate: N/A

Study Design: Observational: Cross-sectional

Geographic Coverage: Finland ; United States of America

Study Population: American and Finnish young people aged 15-25 years old.

Sampling Procedure: The researchers recruited American and Finnish participants from a pool of volunteers administered by Survey Sampling International (SSI). The samples were balanced in terms of age, gender, and living area.