title: Differences in gambling problem severity and gambling and health/functioning characteristics among Asian-American and Caucasian high-school students.
abstract: Studies of Asian-American adults have found high estimates of problematic gambling. However, little is known about gambling behaviors and associated measures among Asian-American adolescents. This study examined gambling perceptions and behaviors and health/functioning characteristics stratified by problem-gambling severity and Asian-American and Caucasian race using cross-sectional survey data of 121 Asian-American and 1659 Caucasian high-school students. Asian-American and Caucasian adolescents significantly differed on problem-gambling severity, with Asian-American adolescents more often reporting not gambling (24.8% vs. 16.4%), but when they did report gambling, they showed higher levels of at-risk/problem gambling (30.6% vs. 26.4%). Parental approval or disapproval of adolescent gambling also significantly differed between races, with Asian-American adolescents more likely to perceive both parental disapproval (50.0% vs. 38.2%) and approval (19.3% vs. 9.6%) of gambling. Asian-American adolescents were also more likely to express concern about gambling among close family members (25.2% vs. 11.6%). Among Asian-American adolescents, stronger associations were observed between at-risk/problem gambling and smoking cigarettes (interaction odds ratio=12.6). In summary, differences in problem-gambling severity and gambling perceptions indicate possible cultural differences in familial attitudes towards gambling. Stronger links between cigarette smoking and risky/problematic gambling amongst Asian-American adolescents suggest that prevention and treatment efforts targeting youth addictions consider cultural differences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States. Electronic address: grace.kong@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Corey E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Pilver
authors.forename: Hwee Sim
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Rani A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hoff
authors.forename: Dana A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cavallo
authors.forename: Suchitra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krishnan-Sarin
authors.forename: Marvin A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.forename: Loreen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rugle
authors.forename: Marc N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Potenza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001290:Attitude; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescence; Asian American; Family; Gambling