Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

On a Roll: The Process of Initiation and Cessation of Problem Gambling Among Adolescents

  • Published:
Journal of Gambling Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As gambling becomes more accessible and acceptable in society, problems associated with gambling and gaming have begun to affect ever increasing numbers of adolescents. Although restricted from most forms of gambling by law, many adolescents are finding a path into problem gambling. Some are becoming compulsive gamblers early in their gambling career, facing a future filled with consequences and problems. Understanding the pathway or process by which these adolescents become engaged in gambling behavior and how they can extricate themselves from this addictive behavior can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our interventions. This article offers a perspective on the initiation and cessation of compulsive gambling using the basic elements of the process of intentional behavior change outlined in the Stages of Change from the Transtheoretical Model. The process of initiation of a problematic behavior is similar to the process of modification or cessation of a problematic behavior in terms of these stages of change. With adolescents it is important to distinguish between the process of initiation, which has implications for prevention of gambling problems, and the process of cessation, which often necessitates the assistance of treatment. Creating interventions that parallel the process of change offers the potential for personalizing and potentiating efforts to reduce the prevalence and consequences associated with compulsive or pathological and problem gambling. Application of this model to gambling behavior offers a heuristic that is intriguing and requires substantiation through rigorous research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

  • Arcuri, A. F., Lester, D., & Smith, F. O. (1985). Shaping adolescent gambling behavior. Adolescence, 20, 935-938.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blum, K., Cull, J. G., Braverman, E. R., & Comings, D. E. (1996). Reward deficiency syndrome: Addictive, impulsive and compulsive disorders including alcoholism, attention-deficit disorder, drug abuse and food bingeing may have a common genetic basis. American Scientist, 84, 132-145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carbonari, J. P., DiClemente, C.C., & Sewell, K.B. (1999). Stage transitions and the transtheoretical “stages of change” model of smoking cessation. Swiss Journal of Psychology, 58,134-144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crockford, D.N., & el-Guebaly, N. (1998). Psychiatric comorbidity in pathological gambling: A critical review. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 43,43-50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham-Williams, R. M., Cottler, L. B., Compton, W. M., & Spitznagel, E. L. (1998). Taking chances: Problem gamblers and mental health disorders-results from the St. Louis Epidemiological Catchment Area (ECA) Study. American Journal of Public Health, 88(7), 1093-1096.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dell, L. J., Ruzicka, M. F., & Palasi, A. T. (1981). Personality and other factors associated with the gambling addiction. The International Journal of the Addictions, 16, 149-156.

    Google Scholar 

  • DiClemente, C. C. (1999). Prevention and harm reduction for chemical dependency: A process perspective. Clinical Psychology Review, 19(4), 473-486.

    Google Scholar 

  • DiClemente, C. C. (1994). If behaviors change, can personality be far behind? In T. Heatherton & J. Weinberger (Eds.), Can Personality Change? (pp. 175-198). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • DiClemente, C. C., & Prochaska, J. O. (1998). Toward a comprehensive, transtheoretical model of change: Stages of change and addictive behaviors. In W. R. Miller & N. Heather (Eds.), Treating Addictive Behaviors (2nd ed., pp. 3-24). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • DiClemente, C. C., Prochaska, J. O., Fairhurst, S., Velicer, W. F., Velasquez, M., & Rossi, J. (1991). The process of smoking cessation: An analysis of precontemplation, contemplation and preparation stages of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59(2), 295-304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emerson, M. O., & Laundergan, J. C. (1996). Gambling and problem gambling among adult Minnesotans: Changes 1990 to 1994. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12(3), 291-304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feigelman, W., Wallisch, L. S., & Lesieur, H. R. (1998). Problem gamblers, substance users, and dual-problem individuals: An epidemiological study. American Journal of Public Health, 88(3), 467-470.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, S. (1992). Measuring pathological gambling in children: The case of fruit machines in the U. K. Journal of Gambling Studies, 8(3), 263-285.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, S. (1993). Gambling and pathological gambling in adolescents. Journal of Gambling Studies, 9(3), 277-287.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, S., & Griffiths, M. (1995). Current trends in slot machine gambling: Research and policy issues. Journal of Gambling Studies, 11(3), 239-247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaboury, A., & Ladouceur, R. (1993). Evaluation of a prevention program for pathological gambling among adolescents. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 14(1), 21-28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glantz, K., & Pickens, R. (1992). Vulnerability to drug abuse. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Govoni, R., Rupcich, N., & Frisch, G. R. (1996). Gambling behavior of adolescent gamblers. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12(3), 305-317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R., & Derevensky, J. L. (1996). The relationship between gambling and video-game playing behavior in children and adolescents. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12(4), 375-394.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R., & Derevensky, J. (1997). Familial and social influences on juvenile gambling behavior. Journal of Gambling Studies, 13(3), 179-192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R., & Derevensky, J. (1998a). Adolescent gambling behavior: A prevalence study and examination of the correlates associated with excessive gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 14(4), 319-345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R., & Derevensky, J. (1998b). An empirical examination of Jacobs' general theory of addictions: Do adolescent gamblers fit the theory? Journal of Gambling Studies, 14(1), 17-49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huba, G., & Bentler, P. (1982). A developmental theory of drug use: Derivation and assessment of a causal modeling approach. In P. Baltes & O. Brim (Eds.), Life-span development and behavior (Vol. 4, pp. 147-203). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, D. F. (1989). Illegal and undocumented: A review of teenage gambling and the plight of children of problem gamblers in America. In H. J. Shaffer, S. A. Stein, B. Gambino, & T. N. Cummings (Eds.), Compulsive gambling: Theory, research and practice (pp. 249-292). Toronto: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jessor, R., & Jessor, S. (1977). Problem behavior and psychosocial development: A longitudinal study of youth. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandel, D. B., & Logan, J. A. (1984). Patterns of drug use from adolescence to young adulthood: I. Periods of risk for initiation, continued use, and discontinuation. American Journal of Public Health, 74,660-666.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., Boisvert, J. M., & Dumont, J. (1994). Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adolescent pathological gamblers. Behavior Modification, 18(2), 230-242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H. R., & Blume, S. B. (1991). Evaluation of patients treated for pathological gambling in a combined alcohol, substance abuse, and pathological gambling treatment unit using the Addiction Severity Index. British Journal of Addiction, 86, 1017-1028.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H. R., & Klein, R. (1987). Pathological gambling among high school students. Addictive Behaviors, 12, 129-135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lopez-Ibor, J. J., & Carrasco, J. L. (1995). Pathological gambling. In E. Hollander & D. J. Stein (Eds.), Impulsivity and aggression (pp. 137-149). West Sussex, England: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lopez Viets, V. C. (1998). Treating pathological gambling. In W. R. Miller & N. Heather (Eds.), Treating addictive behaviors (2nd ed., pp. 259-270). New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lopez Viets, V. C., & Miller, W. R. (1997). Treatment approaches for pathological gamblers. Clinical Psychology Review, 17(7), 689-702.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marlatt, A., & Gordon, J. (1985). Relapse prevention. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCormick, R. A. (1994). The importance of coping skill enhancement in the treatment of the pathological gambler. Journal of Gambling Studies, 10,77-86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (1991). Motivational interviewing: Preparing people to change addictive behavior. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W., Zweben, A., DiClemente, C. C., & Rychtarik, R. G. (1992). Motivational enhancement therapy manual: A clinical research guide for therapists treating individuals with alcohol abuse and dependence. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Project MATCH Monograph Series, 2 (Department of Health and Human Services Publication No. (ADM) 92-1894. Bethesda, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

  • Moore, S. M., & Ohtsuka, K. (1997). Gambling activities of young Australians: Developing a model of behaviour. Journal of Gambling Studies, 13(3), 207-236. National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, Committee on the Social and Economic

    Google Scholar 

  • Impact of Pathological Gambling (1999). Pathological gambling: A critical review. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perz, C. A., DiClemente, C. C., & Carbonari, J. P. (1996). Doing the right thing at the right time? Interaction of stages and processes of change in successful smoking cessation. Health Psychology, 15, 462-468.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1982). Transtheoretical therapy: Toward a more integrative model of change. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 19(3), 276-288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prochaska, J. O., DiClemente, C. C., & Norcross, J. C. (1992). In search of how people change: Applications to addictive behaviors. American Psychologist, 47, 1102-1114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prochaska, J. O., Velicer, W. F., DiClemente, C. C., Guadagnoli, E., & Rossi, J. S. (1991). Patterns of change: Dynamic typology applied to smoking cessation. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 26(1), 83-107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prochaska, J. O., Velicer, W. F., Rossi, J. S., Goldstein, M. G., Marcus, B. H., Rakowski, W., Fiore, C., Harlow, L. L., Redding, C. A., Rosenbloom, D., & Rossi, S. R. (1994). Stages of change and decisional balance for 12 problem behaviors. Health Psychology, 13(1), 39-46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Project MATCH Research Group. (1997). Matching alcoholism treatments to client heterogeneity: Project MATCH post-treatment drinking outcomes. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 58,7-29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Project MATCH Research Group. (1998). Matching alcoholism treatments to client heterogeneity: Project MATCH three year drinking outcomes. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, 22, 1300-1311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, H. J. (1996). Understanding the means and objects of addiction: Technology, the internet, and gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12(4), 461-469.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, H. J., & Hall, M. N. (1996). Estimating the prevalence of adolescent gambling disorders: A quantitative synthesis and guide toward standard gambling nomenclature. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12, 193-214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommers, I. (1988). Pathological gambling: Estimating prevalence and group characteristics. International Journal of the Addictions, 23(5), 477-490.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spunt, B., Dupont, I., Lesieur, H., Liberty, H. J., & Hunt, D. (1998). Pathological gambling and substance misuse: A review of the literature. Substance Use and Misuse, 33(13), 2535-2560.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stinchfield, R., Cassuto, N., Winters, K., & Latimer, W. (1997). Prevalence of gambling among Minnesota public school students in 1992 and 1995. Journal of Gambling Studies, 13(1), 25-48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sylvain, C., Ladouceur, R., & Boisvert, J. M. (1997). Cognitive and behavioral treatment of pathological gambling: A controlled study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 65(5), 727-732.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tartar, R. E., & Mezzich, A. C. (1992). Ontogeny of substance abuse: Perspectives and findings. In M. Glantz & R. Pickens (Eds.), Vulnerability to drug abuse. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitaro, F., Ferland, F., Jacques, C., & Ladouceur, R. (1998). Gambling, substance use, and impulsivity during adolescence. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 12(3), 185-194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volberg, R. A. (1994). The prevalence and demographics of pathological gamblers: Implications for public health. American Journal of Public Health, 84,237-241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volberg, R. A. (1996). Prevalence studies of problem gambling in the United States. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12(2), 111-128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volberg, R. A., & Steadman, H. J. (1988). Refining prevalence estimates of pathological gambling. American Journal of Psychiatry 145(4), 502-505.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volberg, R. A., & Steadman, H. J. (1989). Prevalence estimates of pathological gambling in New Jersey and Maryland. American Journal of Psychiatry, 146, 1618-1619.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werch, C. E., & DiClemente, C. C. (1994). A multi-component stage model for matching drug prevention strategies and messages to youth stage of use. Health Education Research: Theory & Practice, 9(1), 37-46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winters, K. C., & Anderson, N. (2000). Gambling and drug use among adolescents. Journal of Gambling Studies, 16 175-198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winters, K. C., Bengston P., Dorr, D., & Stinchfield, R. (1998). Prevalence and risk factors of problem gambling among college students. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 12(2), 127-135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winters, K. C., Stinchfield, R. D., & Fulkerson, J. (1993). Patterns and characteristics of adolescent gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 9(4), 371-386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoeman, T., & Griffiths, M. (1996) Adolescent machine gambling and crime. Journal of Adolescence, 19(2), 183-188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman, M. (1991). Psychobiology of personality. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD, 21250

    Carlo C. DiClemente

  2. University of Maryland, Baltimore County

    Marilyn Story & Kenneth Murray

Authors
  1. Carlo C. DiClemente
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marilyn Story
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kenneth Murray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

DiClemente, C.C., Story, M. & Murray, K. On a Roll: The Process of Initiation and Cessation of Problem Gambling Among Adolescents. J Gambl Stud 16, 289–313 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009441216698

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009441216698

Search

Navigation