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Prevention of Problematic Gambling Behavior Among Adolescents: Testing the Efficacy of an Integrative Intervention

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Abstract

This study aimed at testing the efficacy of an integrative intervention to prevent adolescent problem gambling acting on a multidimensional set of factors including gambling related knowledge and misconceptions, economic perception of gambling, and superstitious thinking. A pre- and post-test design was performed with 181 Italian adolescents (64 % boys; Mean age = 15.95) randomly assigned to two groups (Training and No Training). Results revealed that the intervention was effective in improving correct knowledge about gambling and reducing misconceptions, perception of gambling’s profitability, and superstitious thinking. Except for misconceptions, these effects were obtained both in participants who were classified as Non-problem and At-Risk/Problem gamblers at the beginning of the intervention. Findings attested also that the training effects were stable over time, and that some changes in gambling behavior were produced. Findings were discussed referring to indications for future research aiming at confirming and extending the present results.

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Notes

  1. School principals’ agreement was given under the condition that the majority of the students participated to the training. Thus, only one class per school (randomly selected) was assigned to the No Training group.

  2. Due to the relative shortness of time between the training and the post-test, the SOGS-RA was not administered in the post-test. Moreover, in completing the SOGS-RA, participants had to refer to the last 6 months to investigate changes in gambling habits.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Psychology, University of Florence, Via di San Salvi 12, Padiglione 26, 50135, Florence, Italy

    Maria Anna Donati, Caterina Primi & Francesca Chiesi

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  1. Maria Anna Donati
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  2. Caterina Primi
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  3. Francesca Chiesi
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Correspondence to Maria Anna Donati.

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Donati, M.A., Primi, C. & Chiesi, F. Prevention of Problematic Gambling Behavior Among Adolescents: Testing the Efficacy of an Integrative Intervention. J Gambl Stud 30, 803–818 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-013-9398-1

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