Administrative Office: University of Padova Department of Developmental and Social Psychology DOCTORAL SCHOOL IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES XXVIII CYCLE AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE INDIVIDUAL AND CONTEXTUAL FACTORS IN ADOLESCENT GAMBLING School director: Professor Francesca Peressotti Supervisor: Professor Alessio Vieno Doctoral student: Natale Canale Dedication To Marianna, my mother and my foundation. To my father's good part. To Mauro, in loving memory TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ 1 Abstract (Italian) ........................................................................................................................ 5 Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 1 ....................................................................................................................................... 11 Youth gambling: Issues, concerns, and recommendations ................................... 11 1.1. Definitions of gambling and related terms ............................................................................ 12 1.2. Screening and assessment instruments: the validity of self-reported gambling in adolescence .................................................................................................................................. 17 1.3. Adolescent gambling: an issue of concern and an emerging field of research ..................... 19 1.4. Gambling as a Public Health Issue ....................................................................................... 21 1.5. Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 26 Chapter 2 ....................................................................................................................................... 27 Youth gambling: What we know and what still needs to be learned ................... 27 2.1. Two theoretical frameworks to understand problem gambling ............................................ 30 2.2. Macroeconomic Indicators: Public Policy ............................................................................ 34 2.3. Sociodemographic Factors .................................................................................................... 36 2.4. Socialization Factors: family characteristics......................................................................... 40 2.5. Individual/psychological factors ........................................................................................... 43 2.6. Specific aims ......................................................................................................................... 52 2.7. Overview of chapters ............................................................................................................ 55 Chapter 3 ....................................................................................................................................... 57 Study 1. Family and Public Policy: Sources of protection for adolescents at risk of problem gambling ................................................................................................................ 57 3.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 57 3.2. The present study .................................................................................................................. 59 3.3. Method .................................................................................................................................. 60 3.3.1. Participants and procedure ............................................................................................. 60 3.3.2. Measures ........................................................................................................................ 61 3.3.3. Statistical analyses ......................................................................................................... 63 3.4. Results ................................................................................................................................... 63 3.5. Discussion ............................................................................................................................. 68 3.6. Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 72 Chapter 4 ....................................................................................................................................... 73 Study 2. How parental knowledge can reduce gambling frequency rates: The role of adolescent gambling-oriented attitudes .............................................................. 73 4.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 73 4.1.1. Pathways from parental knowledge and monitoring to adolescent gambling ............... 76 4.1.2. Adolescent attitudes to gambling ................................................................................... 76 4.1.3. Adolescent attitudes as mediators of the family-adolescent behaviour relationship ..... 77 4.2. The present study .................................................................................................................. 78 4.3. Method .................................................................................................................................. 80 4.3.1. Participants and procedure ............................................................................................. 80 4.3.2. Measures ........................................................................................................................ 81 4.3.3. Statistical Analyses ........................................................................................................ 84 4.4. Results ................................................................................................................................... 85 4.5. Discussion ............................................................................................................................. 90 4.6. Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 97 Chapter 5 ....................................................................................................................................... 99 Study 3. Impulsivity traits, gambling motives and gambling problems: What role for perceived gambling risk and benefits? .............................................................. 99 5.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 99 5.1.1. Multiple personality pathways to impulsive/risky behaviour ...................................... 100 5.1.2. Motives as mediators of the personality-behaviour relationship ................................. 101 5.1.3. Risk/Benefit perception as moderators of the personality-motives-behaviour relationship ............................................................................................................................. 102 5.2. The present study ................................................................................................................ 103 5.3. Method ................................................................................................................................ 104 5.3.1. Participants and procedure ........................................................................................... 104 5.3.2. Measures ...................................................................................................................... 105 5.3.3 Statistical Analyses ....................................................................................................... 107 5.4. Results ................................................................................................................................. 110 5.5. Discussion ........................................................................................................................... 118 5.6. Conclusions ......................................................................................................................... 124 Chapter 6 ..................................................................................................................................... 127 Study 4. Trait urgency and gambling problems in young people: The role of decision-making processes ................................................................................................... 127 6.1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 127 6.2. The present study ................................................................................................................ 130 6.3. Methods ............................................................................................................................... 131 6.3.1. Participants and procedure ........................................................................................... 131 6.3.2. Measures