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Title

Beliefs about control over gambling among young people, and their relation to problem gambling

Author(s)

Moore, Susan M.;  Ohtsuka, Keis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the association between beliefs about 2 types of control---(a) illusion of control and (b) internal locus of control---and gambling frequency-problem gambling among young people age 14 to 25 years (435 males, 577 females, and 5 unreported gender). A revised version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen and measures of gambling frequency and gambling beliefs were administered. Results indicated that irrational control beliefs were strongly associated with problem gambling. Young problem gamblers were more likely to believe that they needed money and that gambling would provide it. In addition, young problem gamblers had more faith in their ability to manipulate chance and 'beat the system'. Regression models with illusion of control and internal control over gambling significantly predicted gambling frequency and problem gambling.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology. Institute for Social Research

Source

Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, Vol. 13, no. 4 (Dec 1999), pp. 339-347

Publication year

1999

FOR Code(s)

1701 Psychology

Keyword(s)

Gambling;  Gambling motivation;  Illusion of control;  Problem behaviour;  Problem gambling;  Youth gambling

Publisher

American Psychological Association

ISSN

0893-164X

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0893-164X.13.4.339

Copyright

Copyright © 1999 Educational Publishing Foundation. Published by Elsevier. The accepted manuscript of the paper is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.

Additional information

This research was supported by a grant from the Australian Research Council.

Full text

Peer reviewed