Adolescent gambling and problem gambling: examination of an extended theory of planned behaviour

Adolescent problem gambling is acknowledged as a public health concern. To better understand adolescent gambling and problem gambling behaviour, the present study investigated the relationships between psychological correlates of gambling frequency and problem gambling using an extended theory of pl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International gambling studies 2015-09, Vol.15 (3), p.506-525
Main Authors: St-Pierre, Renée A., Derevensky, Jeffrey L., Temcheff, Caroline E., Gupta, Rina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adolescence
Adolescents
Attitudes
conceptual model
Decision making
Emotions
evaluation
Expectations
frequency
Gambling
Pathological gambling
Perceptions
Prevention programs
problem gambling
Public health
Theory of planned behavior
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Summary:Adolescent problem gambling is acknowledged as a public health concern. To better understand adolescent gambling and problem gambling behaviour, the present study investigated the relationships between psychological correlates of gambling frequency and problem gambling using an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB; i.e. intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, perceptions of behavioural control) that includes negative anticipated emotions as a factor associated with gambling intentions. Four hundred and nineteen high school students were surveyed in the Montreal (Canada) region. The findings generally support the applicability of an extended TPB model for explaining gambling behaviour frequency and gambling problems among adolescents. The results reveal that negative anticipated emotions, attitudes and perceptions of behavioural control influence gambling intentions. The results further reveal that intentions and attitudes have a direct relationship with gambling frequency, while intentions and perceptions of behavioural control are directly related to problem gambling behaviours. These findings suggest that adolescent problem gambling prevention and intervention efforts should consider targeting negative anticipated emotions and other TPB components in order to postpone initiation to gambling (a risk factor for problem gambling) and to promote gambling decision-making.
ISSN:1445-9795
1479-4276
DOI:10.1080/14459795.2015.1079640