The prevalence of gambling among University students : a preliminary study

Abstract

This dissertation aims to explore the prevalence of different levels of gambling difficulties among a convenience sample of university students, and correlating these with gender, accessibility to gambling, age of first gambling experience, initial gambling experience, risk taking, perception of harm, gambling-related attitudes and outcome expectancies. Gambling has become a widely available and accepted social recreational activity. The question that is raised here is whether this new age of gambling has increased the amount of pathological or problem gamblers in our society. The prevalence data was gathered using the South Oaks Gambling Screen and another research tool designed for the purposes of this study, both administered in an anonymous fashion via University of Malta webmail. 25.4 percent of university students reported some problems with gambling, whereas 3.1 percent indicated probable pathological gambling. Furthermore, gambling-related problems are more prevalent among female university students. The findings demonstrate a positive relationship, however not significant, between gambling-related problems and a number of factors, including availability of gambling, risk taking, gambling-related attitudes, perception of harm and outcome expectancies. There seems to be a lack of research on gambling behaviour among young people in Malta and thus this study is contributing to and providing the knowledge needed for further research in this area. The study concludes with recommendations for policy, service development and further research.