Content area
Abstract
The purposes of this study were to: (a) identify theoretical constructs that correlate with adolescent gambling behavior, and (b) test models for predicting adolescent gambling behavior using Problem Behavior Theory as a conceptual framework. The study postulates that psycho-social variables found in three theoretical domains, the personality system, the perceived environment system, and the behavior system, correlate with adolescent gambling behavior. Moreover, adolescent gambling behavior occurs across the three theoretical constructs.
Data for this research comes from the Gambling Impact and Behavior Study, 1997-1999: [United States] Part 2 Youth Survey with a national sample of 534 adolescents. Chi-square tests for association examined the strength of the relationships between, school participation, religiosity, family/peer support, role model for gambling behavior, alcohol use, substance use, and criminal activity with gambling behavior. Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of adolescent gambling behavior.
The findings revealed that gender, religiosity, role model for gambling behavior, alcohol use, substance use, and criminal activity are significant correlates of adolescent gambling behavior. The logistic regression models demonstrated that gender, role model for gambling behavior, and alcohol use were significant predictors of adolescent gambling behavior. These findings have implications for social work research, practice, theory, policy and education.
