A longitudinal study of factors explaining attitude change towards gambling among adolescents

摘要

Background and aims:\udNo previous study has investigated changes in attitudes toward gambling from under legal\udgambling age to legal gambling age. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate attitudinal changes during this transition and to identify predictors of corresponding attitude change.\udMethods:\udIn all 1239 adolescents from a national representative sample participated in two survey waves (Wave 1; 17.5 years; Wave 2; 18.5 years).\udResults:\udFrom Wave 1 to Wave 2 the sample became more acceptant toward gambling. A regression analysis showed\udthat when controlling for attitudes toward gambling at Wave 1 males developed more acceptant attitudes than\udfemales. Neuroticism was inversely related to development of acceptant attitudes toward gambling from Wave 1 to\udWave 2, whereas approval of gambling by close others at Wave 1 was positively associated with development of\udmore acceptant attitudes. Continuous or increased participation in gambling was related to development of more acceptant attitudes from Wave 1 to Wave 2. Conclusions:\udAttitudes toward gambling became more acceptant when\udreaching legal gambling age. Male gender, approval of gambling by close others and gambling participation predicted development of positive attitudes toward gambling whereas neuroticism was inversely related to development of positive attitudes toward gambling over time.