Risk factors associated with preadolescent gambling in Italy

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Author(s): Vegni, Nicoletta ; Melchiori, Francesco Maria ; D'Ardia, Caterina ; Prestano, Claudia ; Canu, Massimo ; Piergiovanni, Giulia ; Di Filippo, Gloria

Journal: Frontiers in Psychology

Year Published: 2019

Date Added: January 28, 2020

Young people engage in gambling and may show the same risk factors that adults show. Many studies have examined the adolescent population, but none have investigated gambling in preadolescents. The researchers recruited 2475 youth aged 11-14 from schools in Italy. The results revealed that those who gambled showed false perceptions about gambling, had more inappropriate school behaviour, and experienced higher conflict with their parents about their video gaming. Moreover, those who gambled were more likely to be male, older, and have parents who gambled. Overall, these risk factors are similar to those reported in adolescents and adults.

Citation: Vegni, N., Melchiori, F. M., D’Ardia, C., Prestano, C., Canu, M., Piergiovanni, G., & Di Filippo, G. (2019). Gambling behavior and risk factors in preadolescent students: A cross sectional study. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01287

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01287

Keywords: addiction ; adolescents ; gambling ; prevention ; risk factors

Topics: Children and Youth ; Cultural Factors ; Gambling Resources ; Information for Operators ; Prevention ; Priority Populations

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological - Comorbid Disorders ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Social - Social Demographics ; Psychological - Lifespan Development ; Social Factors

Study Design: Observational: Cross-sectional

Geographic Coverage: Italy

Study Population: 2,734 preadolescent youth (ages 11 to 14 years, average age = 12.36, 53% male)

Sampling Procedure: The researchers used targeted sampling to recruit participants from 47 schools situated in 18 regions of Italy.

Study Funding:

No source of funding was declared for this study.