Pathways to understanding problem gambling among adolescents

Abstract Background Gambling among youth is attracting the attention of health experts worldwide. A need has arisen for more research on the pathways to the development of adolescent problem gambling behavior and related factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, and structure equation...

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Main Authors: Hyun Jung Lee, Gyungjoo Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23213-1
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author Hyun Jung Lee
Gyungjoo Lee
author_facet Hyun Jung Lee
Gyungjoo Lee
author_sort Hyun Jung Lee
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Gambling among youth is attracting the attention of health experts worldwide. A need has arisen for more research on the pathways to the development of adolescent problem gambling behavior and related factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, and structure equation modeling was used to analyze data from the Korea Problem Gambling Agency to predict problem gambling among 1,474 adolescents aged 13–18 years. Results Structural equation modeling showed that gambling accessibility and media exposure are associated with heightened sensation-seeking tendencies, which are related to stronger irrational gambling beliefs. The mediating associations of these factors play a significant role in predicting adolescent problem gambling. Additionally, ecological influences, including gambling accessibility and media exposure, show associations with the reinforcement of irrational gambling beliefs among adolescents. Although impulsivity was increased due to media exposure, it was not a significant mediator among gambling accessibility and media exposure, irrational gambling beliefs and problem gambling. Conclusion Understanding adolescent problem gambling requires a comprehensive approach that considers both ecological and individual factors. To effectively reduce adolescent problem gambling, collaboration among researchers, policymakers, schools, parents, and adolescents is essential.
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spelling doaj-art-4b2d9f281aba45fa8f3bcdbf7d549c792025-08-20T02:06:35ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-06-0125111010.1186/s12889-025-23213-1Pathways to understanding problem gambling among adolescentsHyun Jung Lee0Gyungjoo Lee1Department of Nursing, Jeonbuk Science College of KoreaCollege of Nursing, The Catholic University of KoreaAbstract Background Gambling among youth is attracting the attention of health experts worldwide. A need has arisen for more research on the pathways to the development of adolescent problem gambling behavior and related factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, and structure equation modeling was used to analyze data from the Korea Problem Gambling Agency to predict problem gambling among 1,474 adolescents aged 13–18 years. Results Structural equation modeling showed that gambling accessibility and media exposure are associated with heightened sensation-seeking tendencies, which are related to stronger irrational gambling beliefs. The mediating associations of these factors play a significant role in predicting adolescent problem gambling. Additionally, ecological influences, including gambling accessibility and media exposure, show associations with the reinforcement of irrational gambling beliefs among adolescents. Although impulsivity was increased due to media exposure, it was not a significant mediator among gambling accessibility and media exposure, irrational gambling beliefs and problem gambling. Conclusion Understanding adolescent problem gambling requires a comprehensive approach that considers both ecological and individual factors. To effectively reduce adolescent problem gambling, collaboration among researchers, policymakers, schools, parents, and adolescents is essential.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23213-1Addictive behaviorsAdolescentImpulsivityGamblingRisk-taking
spellingShingle Hyun Jung Lee
Gyungjoo Lee
Pathways to understanding problem gambling among adolescents
BMC Public Health
Addictive behaviors
Adolescent
Impulsivity
Gambling
Risk-taking
title Pathways to understanding problem gambling among adolescents
title_full Pathways to understanding problem gambling among adolescents
title_fullStr Pathways to understanding problem gambling among adolescents
title_full_unstemmed Pathways to understanding problem gambling among adolescents
title_short Pathways to understanding problem gambling among adolescents
title_sort pathways to understanding problem gambling among adolescents
topic Addictive behaviors
Adolescent
Impulsivity
Gambling
Risk-taking
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23213-1
work_keys_str_mv AT hyunjunglee pathwaystounderstandingproblemgamblingamongadolescents
AT gyungjoolee pathwaystounderstandingproblemgamblingamongadolescents