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Problem and pathological gambling among college athletes.
1College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA. ckerber@iwu.edu
Summary
Nearly 15% of college athletes exhibit problem or pathological gambling behaviors. This vulnerable group requires targeted interventions to address widespread gambling concerns.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Problematic gambling is prevalent among college students, with a notable concentration in athletic populations.
- College athletes represent a particularly vulnerable demographic for gambling-related issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of problem and pathological gambling among college athletes.
- To assess college athletes' attitudes toward various forms of gambling.
- To develop a comprehensive profile of gambling behaviors and attitudes in this population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) to identify problem and pathological gambling.
- Employed the Gambling Attitude Scale (GAS) to evaluate attitudes towards general and specific gambling modes.
- Collected data from 636 college athletes across three Midwest universities.
Main Results:
- Approximately 15% of surveyed college athletes scored at or above the threshold for problem or pathological gambling (SOGS score >=3).
- Individuals at risk exhibited frequent gambling, had family/friends with gambling problems, were nonwhite, older, began gambling younger, preferred skill games, and held positive attitudes towards gambling, especially internet gambling.
- A detailed profile of gambling attitudes and behaviors was established for college athletes.
Conclusions:
- Gambling problems are widespread within the college athlete population, highlighting their status as a vulnerable group.
- The findings underscore the necessity for developing and implementing specific, targeted interventions for college athletes to mitigate gambling risks.