title: A longitudinal study of factors explaining attitude change towards gambling among adolescents.
abstract: Background and aims No previous study has investigated changes in attitudes toward gambling from under legal gambling 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. Methods In all 1239 adolescents from a national representative sample participated in two survey waves (Wave 1; 17.5 years; Wave 2; 18.5 years). Results From Wave 1 to Wave 2 the sample became more acceptant toward gambling. A regression analysis showed that when controlling for attitudes toward gambling at Wave 1 males developed more acceptant attitudes than females. Neuroticism was inversely related to development of acceptant attitudes toward gambling from Wave 1 to Wave 2, whereas approval of gambling by close others at Wave 1 was positively associated with development of more acceptant attitudes. Continuous or increased participation in gambling was related to development of more acceptant attitudes from Wave 1 to Wave 2. Conclusions Attitudes toward gambling became more acceptant when reaching 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen , Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Ståle
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pallesen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen , Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hanss
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen , Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Helge
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Molde
authors.affiliation: Psychology Division, International Gambling Research Unit, Nottingham Trent University , Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen , Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Rune Aune
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mentzoni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010551:Personality; D012042:Registries; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: attitudes; change; gambling; longitudinal