Abstract:
Growing concerns over gambling problems across age groups have sparked research in public health and psychology. During emerging adulthood, individuals are more susceptible to mental health problems and more likely to develop gambling problems than in other age groups. This study explored the potential differences between emerging adults and adults aged 30+ in terms of problem gambling severity (PGS), gambling-related harm (GRH), depression and anxiety, and the mediating role of depression and anxiety in the association between age, PGS, and GRH. A representative online sample of 3244 Israelis aged 18 and over was divided into two groups: 740 emerging adults aged 18-29 and 2504 adults aged 30+. Gambling behaviors, the Problem Gambling Severity Index, the Short Gambling Harm Screen, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 assessing depression and anxiety were administered. Emerging adults had significantly higher levels of GRH, PGS, and depression-anxiety than their older counterparts, above and beyond gender and education. Depression-anxiety fully mediated the associations between age and gambling-related outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of considering psychological well-being in efforts to address problem gambling and gambling-related harms, especially in emerging adults.
摘要:
对各个年龄段的赌博问题的担忧与日俱增,引发了公共卫生和心理学方面的研究。在成年期间,与其他年龄组相比,个人更容易受到心理健康问题的影响,并且更容易出现赌博问题。这项研究探讨了新兴成年人和30岁以上成年人在问题赌博严重程度(PGS)方面的潜在差异,赌博相关伤害(GRH),抑郁和焦虑,以及抑郁和焦虑在年龄之间的中介作用,PGS,和GRH。3244名18岁及以上的以色列人的代表性在线样本分为两组:740名18-29岁的新兴成年人和2504名30岁以上的成年人。赌博行为,问题赌博严重性指数,短暂的赌博伤害屏幕,和患者健康问卷-4评估抑郁和焦虑。新兴成年人的GRH水平明显较高,PGS,和抑郁焦虑比他们年长的同龄人,超越性别和教育。抑郁焦虑完全介导了年龄和赌博相关结果之间的关联。这些发现强调了在努力解决赌博问题和与赌博有关的危害时考虑心理健康的重要性,尤其是新兴的成年人。