Exploring the Utility of an Extended Theory of Planned Behaviour Framework for School-Based Gambling Prevention Programs

The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the concept of negative anticipated emotions (NAE) have attracted research attention in the formulation of effective preventive interventions. This approach has identified several key constructs of the TPB (i.e., intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, perceptions of behavioural control) and NAE as valid predictors of gambling behaviours and problems among young people (Martin et al., 2010, 2011; St-Pierre et al., 2015). However, no empirical investigation has utilized all of these constructs in the design or evaluation of an adolescent problem gambling preventive intervention. The current research aimed to assess the efficacy of targeting NAE and key TPB constructs in a prevention video for modifying gambling beliefs, intentions and behaviours. A sample of 280 high school students were randomly assigned to either an intervention or control condition. Participants were assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at three-month follow-up. Results suggest that the video, delivered as a universal preventive intervention, may be insufficient for modifying NAE and other TPB key constructs, or for changing gambling behaviours over time. Important implications of the findings for future research and prevention work are discussed

Early Initiation into Gambling Among Boys and Girls with Conduct Problems: A Prospective Study

Context. Both early initiation into gambling (Rahman et al., 2012; Slutske et al., 2014) and conduct problems (Welte et al., 2009, 2011) have been identified as independent risk factors for later gambling problems. However, few longitudinal studies have examined the associations between these two risk factors, as well as their predictive relationship with gambling initiation among children and adolescents. Research Question. Are conduct problems a risk factor for early initiation into gambling, over and above other known risk factors? Method. This study used data from an ongoing prospective, longitudinal study at the Université de Sherbrooke in order to examine gambling initiation among primary school-aged boys and girls with early conduct problems. Children ages 6 -9 years were recruited from several low-SES public schools in several regions of Quebec, Canada. A strength of the study is the roughly equal proportion of boys and girls with conduct problems, as well as the presence of a matched control group of children with no conduct problems. Gambling initiation was measured between 2 - 4 years later. Results. Regression analyses showed that the relationship between conduct problems and initiation into gambling remained even after child internalizing problems, child academic performance, child executive functioning, and parental and child substance use were controlled for. Implications. Results confirm that both boys and girls with conduct problems are a high risk group for early initiation into gambling. Given these findings, implications for future research and prevention activities specifically for young children with early conduct problems will be discussed