Abstract
Our objectives for this report were to identify trajectories of youth gambling behavior, and to examine their relation to
executive cognitive function (ECF) and associated problem behaviors. Philadelphia school children, enrolled at ages 10–12 years
(n = 387; 49% male), completed three annual assessments of risk behaviors, ECF, impulsivity, problem behaviors and demographics.
Across ages 10–15 years, using methods from Nagin et al., two groups were identified: Early Gamblers (n = 111) initiated early and continued in later assessments, and Later Gamblers (n = 276) initiated at later ages and gambled less. Betting money on cards and sports were the most frequently reported gambling
behaviors. Using gambling group as outcome, final backward selection logistic regression model showed Early Gamblers are more
likely male (P = 0.001), report more active coping (P = 0.042), impulsive behaviors (P ≤ 0.008), and have friends who gamble (P = 0.001). Groups were similar in ECF, parental monitoring, marital status, SES, and race. Early Gamblers had higher incidence
of problem behaviors and drug use (all P ≤ 0.006). Two gambling groups were identified in early adolescence with Early Gamblers showing higher levels of impulsivity
and comorbid problems but similar levels of ECF compared to Late Gamblers. As more gambling groups are identified through
later adolescence, ECF may emerge as a relevant precursor of problem gambling at this later time.
executive cognitive function (ECF) and associated problem behaviors. Philadelphia school children, enrolled at ages 10–12 years
(n = 387; 49% male), completed three annual assessments of risk behaviors, ECF, impulsivity, problem behaviors and demographics.
Across ages 10–15 years, using methods from Nagin et al., two groups were identified: Early Gamblers (n = 111) initiated early and continued in later assessments, and Later Gamblers (n = 276) initiated at later ages and gambled less. Betting money on cards and sports were the most frequently reported gambling
behaviors. Using gambling group as outcome, final backward selection logistic regression model showed Early Gamblers are more
likely male (P = 0.001), report more active coping (P = 0.042), impulsive behaviors (P ≤ 0.008), and have friends who gamble (P = 0.001). Groups were similar in ECF, parental monitoring, marital status, SES, and race. Early Gamblers had higher incidence
of problem behaviors and drug use (all P ≤ 0.006). Two gambling groups were identified in early adolescence with Early Gamblers showing higher levels of impulsivity
and comorbid problems but similar levels of ECF compared to Late Gamblers. As more gambling groups are identified through
later adolescence, ECF may emerge as a relevant precursor of problem gambling at this later time.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-011-9256-y
- Authors
- Laura M. Betancourt, Division of Neonatology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3535 Market St., Room 1433, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Nancy L. Brodsky, Division of Neonatology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3535 Market St., Room 1433, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Caitlin A. Brown, Division of Neonatology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3535 Market St., Room 1433, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Kathleen A. McKenna, Division of Neonatology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3535 Market St., Room 1433, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Joan M. Giannetta, Division of Neonatology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3535 Market St., Room 1433, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Wei Yang, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Daniel Romer, Institute for Adolescent Risk/Annenberg Public Policy Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Hallam Hurt, Division of Neonatology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3535 Market St., Room 1433, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350