A Structural Equation Model to Explain Gambling Problem Severity in Adolescents with an Integrated Perspective

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Adolescent problem gambling is a significant public health concern.
• Effective prevention strategies necessitate understanding the factors contributing to gambling problem severity.
• Problem gambling is conceptualized as Gambling Disorder symptoms per the DSM-5.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationships between cognitive and affective variables and gambling frequency and problem severity in adolescents.
• To test how knowledge about gambling, cognitive distortions, and affective perceptions influence problematic gambling behavior.
• To identify mechanisms linking these variables to gambling disorder symptoms in high school students.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 447 Italian high school students (mean age 16.8 years).
• Structural Equation Models (SEMs) were employed to analyze the data.
• Data collected on gambling knowledge, cognitive distortions, economic perceptions, expectations, enjoyment, arousal, gambling frequency, and Gambling Disorder symptoms.

Main Results:

• Two significant indirect pathways from knowledge to problem gambling were identified.
• Gambling-related cognitive distortions mediated the relationship between knowledge and problem gambling.
• Gambling frequency also acted as a mediator between knowledge and problem gambling severity.

Conclusions:

• Adolescent problem gambling is a multifaceted issue influenced by various interconnected factors.
• Cognitive distortions and increased gambling frequency are key mechanisms linking knowledge deficits to problem gambling.
• Findings offer insights for developing targeted prevention programs for at-risk adolescents.