Gambling’s Impact on Youth: Psychology, Prevention, and Interventions

Article by : Ledion Musaj Oct 2, 2024

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“Just one more spin,” says the slot machine’s alluring tune. “Double or nothing,” announces the online poker table. Gambling is now more accessible to many teenagers and young people than ever before. It is changing what was previously considered a marginal activity into a really entertaining pastime.

The ease of access, together with the excitement of possible rewards and the appealing nature of gambling advertising, has created this perfect storm. But what happens is that it puts an increasing number of young people at danger of developing gambling addictions. Some may dismiss it as “just a bit of fun,” but the truth is far more complex.

Gambling, even in seemingly harmless forms, can have a strong influence on the psychological well-being of teenagers and young adults. But what sort of influence? Well, it can have an impact on mental health, academic achievement, and interpersonal relationships.

This article will look into the psychological impacts of gambling on this demographic. We shall see that it may have a broad range of effects, including anxiety, depression, decreased impulse control, and addiction. Furthermore, we will see what are some effective preventive measures and intervention ways for dealing with gambling’s potentially fatal consequences. Everything, so that we can produce a guide that will help people make better decisions. The stakes are high, and now is the time to learn how to play the prevention and intervention game successfully!

Psychological Impact of Gambling on Adolescents and Young People

Adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable to the negative consequences of gambling, including addiction, financial difficulties, and mental health issues. Problem gambling in this age group is associated with more severe psychological problems, especially substance use disorders. For example, male adolescents with lower academic performance and less educated fathers are at higher risk for problem gambling. Insightful, isn’t it?

Also, another interesting fact is that adolescent gamblers display poorer psychosocial health. This includes lower self-esteem and social functioning, compared to non-gamblers. And besides that, the psychological, financial, and social consequences of gambling are positively correlated with problem gambling behavior.

So, all these facts paint a picture of the vulnerability of adolescents and young adults to the effects of gambling. The direct relationship between early gambling, academic struggles, familial influences, and a number of negative psychosocial outcomes show the urgency of addressing this issue. But let’s see now what are some other consequences of this problematic gambling. Here we go!

Consequences of Problematic Gambling

Problem gambling among young people is associated with long-term psychological and social consequences, including:

• Mental Health Issues: Higher rates of anxiety and depression.
• Social Alienation: Greater feelings of isolation compared to peers.
• Relationship Problems: Lower self-esteem and perceived popularity.

Coping Mechanism: Gambling is often used as a way to cope with negative emotions, leading to further personal, social, and financial issues.

Prevalence of Problem Gambling

• Asia: Prevalence rates for youth gambling range from 32% to 60%.
• United States: Approximately 750,000 youths are problem gamblers, with 17% gambling 52 or more times in the past year.
• United Kingdom: 19% of 12-15 year-olds had spent money on fruit machines in the previous week.

Co-occurrence: Gambling problems often coincide with alcohol issues, especially among male and Black youth.

Prevention Strategies

Okay, so now let’s talk about how you can avoid getting caught in the gambling trap. First up: Knowledge is power. What we mean by this is that it is very important that you learn about the risks. It’s not all glitz and glamour. Yes, gambling can be addictive and be problematic for your mental health. Think of it like this. You wouldn’t jump into a car without knowing how to drive, right? Because it is dangerous. Same goes for gambling.

Next, setting some strong and serious boundaries is very essential. You can do this by deciding how much time and money you’re willing to spend (if any!) and stick to it. Easier said than done? Try getting a friend involved for support. You can hold each other accountable. And if you’re feeling pressured to gamble, don’t be afraid to say no. Your friends will respect you for it and you are doing this for yourself.

Finally, find healthy ways to chill. Gaming, sports, hanging with friends. In fact, there are many things to do that don’t involve risking your cash and your well-being. Gambling might seem like a shortcut to money, but trust it’s a road you don’t want to travel! Now, let’s see what are the best intervention methods that you can use for this, in case of an additional related to gambling.

Intervention Methods

Interventions for young people can employ various techniques:

• Behavior Change Techniques (BCTs): Provide information on consequences and conduct behavioral experiments.
• Modes of Delivery (MODs): Include face-to-face, computer-based, and internet interventions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT combines behavioral and cognitive methods to help recognize triggers for gambling and develop coping strategies. Online programs can be less intimidating and more accessible for young people.

Conclusion

So, we’ve covered a lot of ground here, from how gambling confuses you and impacts you, and what ways you can use to kick the habit. You might wonder what is the bottom line? Gambling can be seriously risky for young people, impacting everything from your mental health to your wallet.

But the good news is, there are ways to prevent problems and get help if you need it. Talking about it openly and of course privately, learning about the risks, and finding healthy ways to cope with stress are key. We all need support sometimes, and we will also need, so there’s zero shame in reaching out, even though at first it might feel difficult.

Remember, you’ve got this! Your future is worth way more than a gamble.

Sources used for this article:

• https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe13100155
• https://doi.org/10.1001/ARCHPSYC.61.11.1116
• https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2293-2
• https://doi.org/10.1080/j.1440-1614.2006.01843.x
• https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Youth-Gambling%3A-Some-Current-Misconceptions-Derevensky/526005b0f614867f5ef2576580dbc0e6e1fef28b
• https://doi.org/10.4309/JGI.2010.24.4
• https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.02.450
• https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-effects-of-problem-gambling-on-quality-of-life-McCormack-Griffiths/f991277c426315326580cc98ae7ec7f7f90cd334