Evaluation of a prevention program for pathological gambling among adolescents

Many adolescents gamble, some gamble regularly and 2% to 5% suffer from pathological gambling (Jacobs, 1989; Ladouceur & Mireault, 1988; Lesieur & Klein, 1987). This study evaluated the efficacy of a pathological gambling prevention program conducted in five high schools in the Quebec City area. Based on an alcohol prevention program (Rhodes & Jason, 1988), it included the following components: the legality of gambling, the commercial nature of the activity, automatic gambling behaviors, pathological gambling and coping skills. Nine junior and senior classes participated in the program (N=134) and nine equivalent classes served as a control group (N=155). It was predicted that experimental subjects would increase their knowledge of gambling and pathological gambling, decrease their frequency of gambling and change their attitudes toward gambling. A six month follow-up confirmed the maintenance of newly acquired information toward gambling. Results confirmed the efficacy of the program in improving knowledge and skills for controlling gambling behavior at the end of treatment. The clinical implications of prevention programs for pathological gambling are discussed.