Abstract
The aim of this study was to find out what is the prevalence of pathological in Romanian teenagers. We questioned one thousand
thirty-two teenagers in Cluj-Napoca and Harghita counties. Participants completed a questionnaire with 40 items including
gamblers anonymous twenty questions. The sample included teenagers aged 11–19 years; 65.57% were male and 34.43% were female.
The subjects were divided into three groups: non-gambling/recreational gambling or occasional gambling (0–1 positive answers
—Level 1)—753 subjects (72.96%) [316 females and 437 males]; problem gambling (2–6 points—Level 2)—243 subjects (23.54%) [43
females and 200 males]; pathological gambling (above 7 points—Level 3)—36 subjects (3.48%) [3 females and 33 males]. The mean
age of pathological gamblers was 16.48 years. Gender differences were as expected, males engaging in pathological gambling
(91.66% from pathological gamblers) more than females did (8.33% from pathological gamblers). Data revealed that the most
encountered games practiced weekly were sport bets and slot machines in the case of 36.11% of the pathological gamblers; lotto,
internet casino and pool bets each with 25%, followed by roulette and black-jack with 22.22%.From those who reported practicing
gambling at a pathological level 66.66% engaged in alcohol consumption, 13.88% illicit drug use and 19.44% licit drugs. Just
16.66% smoke cigarettes. Data revealed higher rates of prevalence in Romanian teenagers than in other Central and Eastern
European countries. A prevalence study at a national level should be designed.
thirty-two teenagers in Cluj-Napoca and Harghita counties. Participants completed a questionnaire with 40 items including
gamblers anonymous twenty questions. The sample included teenagers aged 11–19 years; 65.57% were male and 34.43% were female.
The subjects were divided into three groups: non-gambling/recreational gambling or occasional gambling (0–1 positive answers
—Level 1)—753 subjects (72.96%) [316 females and 437 males]; problem gambling (2–6 points—Level 2)—243 subjects (23.54%) [43
females and 200 males]; pathological gambling (above 7 points—Level 3)—36 subjects (3.48%) [3 females and 33 males]. The mean
age of pathological gamblers was 16.48 years. Gender differences were as expected, males engaging in pathological gambling
(91.66% from pathological gamblers) more than females did (8.33% from pathological gamblers). Data revealed that the most
encountered games practiced weekly were sport bets and slot machines in the case of 36.11% of the pathological gamblers; lotto,
internet casino and pool bets each with 25%, followed by roulette and black-jack with 22.22%.From those who reported practicing
gambling at a pathological level 66.66% engaged in alcohol consumption, 13.88% illicit drug use and 19.44% licit drugs. Just
16.66% smoke cigarettes. Data revealed higher rates of prevalence in Romanian teenagers than in other Central and Eastern
European countries. A prevalence study at a national level should be designed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-012-9296-y
- Authors
- Viorel Lupu, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County, Romania
- Izabela Ramona Todirita, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, Grigore Alexandrescu Street, No.16, 400560 Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County, Romania
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350