A developmental perspective of youth gambling attitudes : implications for prevention

The present study examined developmental and gender differences in youths' attitudes toward gambling. Phase I of the study involved a quantitative analysis of gambling attitudes among 1408 students from Elementary and Secondary Schools. Participants ranging from 8 to 20 years of age completed the Attitudes and Gambling Activities Questionnaire (AGAQ) and scaled questions designed to delineate the perceived degree of skill and luck involved in various gambling activities. The frequency and reasons youth engage in specific gambling activities and explored attitudes and their relationship to perceptions of perceived control over gambling outcomes. Results revealed age and gender related attitudes toward gambling that may increase their vulnerability to developing problem gambling were examined. Older youth expressed more tolerance of gambling activities while young children under-estimated the addictive nature of gambling and over-estimated the degree of control over gambling outcomes. Males expressed being less fearful of getting caught gambling and had much more tolerant attitudes toward gambling behaviors. Furthermore, those youth found to have a greater number of permissive and/or irresponsible attitudes also had greater misperceptions concerning the degree of skill involved in gambling. Phase II of the study elaborated upon quantitative findings through focus group analysis involving 59 participants in grades 4, 7, 9 and 11. Results expanded upon findings regarding youths' perceptions of gambling and attitudes towards gambling at school, and outline youths' understanding of responsible gambling. Findings are discussed in terms of their utility for youth problem gambling prevention programming and future directions for research are suggested