Comparative Study of Problematic Gambling Behaviors Between American Indian and Non-Indian Adolescents Within and Near a Northern Plains Reservation

• NCJ Number: 227951
• Journal: American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: 1996 Pages: 14-26
• Author(s): Darryl Zitzow Ph.D.
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study compared the gambling behaviors of American-Indian adolescents with their non-Indian peers.

Abstract

American-Indian youth were found to have more serious problem gambling behaviors, earlier onset of gambling activity, and greater frequency of gambling involvement than their non-Indian peers. The majority of adolescents in both groups indicated they have gambled at least once in their lives. Over half reported that at least one of their parents gambled. American-Indian youth may be at greater risk for problematic gambling due to the more recent extended and direct or indirect exposure to gambling opportunities, lower socioeconomic status (poverty apparently magnifies the importance of winning), cultural acceptance of beliefs in mysticism or magical thinking that facilitates trying one's luck, and minority status and perceived prejudice that conditions a belief in lack of control over personal destiny. Reservation tribes, especially those with casinos or gambling alternatives, should consider launching public education efforts designed to inform, identify, and refer adolescents with current or potential problem gambling behaviors. Schools, social work agencies, and mental health systems should ensure that their personnel receive specialized training in the identification, diagnosis, and assessment of problem gambling, as well as gambling treatment alternatives. Further research is needed in order to identify the unique correlations associated with American-Indian reservations that are predictive of adolescent problem gambling. The reservation that participated in this study included three separate counties, with 8.9 percent of the population being of American-Indian descent. A total of 277 students in grades 9-12 completed the Adolescent Gambling Survey, which contained questions related to symptoms of pathological gambling. 5 tables and 12 references