Self-perception of Gambling Problems among
Adolescents Identified as At-risk or Problem Gamblers

Jessica M. Cronce
Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8205, USA

William R. Corbin
Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8205, USA

Marvin A. Steinberg
Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, 47 Clapboard Hill Road, Guilford, CT 06437, USA

Marc N. Potenza
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA

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ABSTRACT
The relative influence of perceived familial addictive behaviors and personal gambling behaviors on adolescents' self-perceptions of gambling problems was examined. Students from five high schools in Connecticut (N = 3,886) were surveyed. Of those between the ages of 14 and 17 who scored two or more on the South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents (n = 532; 72% male; 43% Caucasian), 14.3% reported having a current or past problem with gambling. Wagering larger amounts in a single day, gambling on a daily basis, and perceived presence of a family member with a gambling problem were associated with increased odds of self-perception of a gambling problem. Thus, adolescents who may be less likely to be identified for prevention efforts (due to lack of engagement in high stakes gambling or the real/perceived absence of a problematic gambler in the home) appear less likely to perceive a gambling problem. To advance prevention and treatment strategies, the apparent discrepancy between adolescents' self-perceptions and objective reports of problem gambling behaviors warrants further investigation.

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The Journal of Gambling Studies, (c)Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2007
Received: 1 October 2006 Accepted: 22 December 2006 Published online: 24 January 2007

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