Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Prevention of Problem Gambling: Modifying Misconceptions and Increasing Knowledge Among Canadian Youths

  • Published:
Journal of Primary Prevention Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Research on gambling demonstrates that youths are involved in gambling activities. As they take part in these activities, young people develop and maintain irrational thoughts about gambling and become at risk for developing severe gambling problems. In a previous study, a French video was designed specifically to correct misconceptions and increase knowledge about gambling (Ferland, Ladouceur, & Vitaro, 2002). Findings indicated that the video significantly improves subjects' knowledge about gambling and corrects their misconceptions. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the English version of that video. The sample comprised 506 grade 7 and 8 English speaking students from Canada. The results confirmed the efficacy of the video in increasing knowledge of gambling and correcting misconceptions concerning the outcome of these games. The implications of these results for the prevention of gambling problems are discussed.

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

  • Brown, J. H., & D'Emidio-Caston, M. (1995). On becoming "at risk" through drug education: How symbolic policies and their practices affect students. Evaluation Review, 19(4), 451–492.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Derevensky, J. L., Gupta, R., & Cioppa, G. D. (1996). Developmental perspective of gambling behavior in children and adolescents. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12(1), 49–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dishion, T. J., McCord, J., & Poulin, F. (1999). Peer groups and problem behavior. American Psychologist, 54(9), 755–764.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferland, F., Ladouceur, R., & Jacques, C. (2001, April). Evaluation of a gambling prevention program for youths: A follow-up study. Paper presented at Innovation 2001, Canadian Foundation for Compulsive Gambling, Toronto, Canada.

  • Ferland, F., Ladouceur, R., & Vitaro, F. (2002). Prevention of problem gambling: Modifying miscon-ceptions and increasing knowledge. Journal of Gambling Studies, 18, 19–30.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., Dubé, D., & Bujold, A. (1994). Gambling among primary school students. Journal of Gambling Studies, 10, 363–370.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., & Ferland, F. (2003). Prevention of problem gambling among youths. In T. P. Gullotta & M. Bloom (Eds.), The Encyclopedia of primary prevention and health promotion. New York: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., Sylvain, C., Boutin, C., & Doucet, C. (2002). Understanding and treating pathological gamblers. London: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., & Walker, M. (1996). A cognitive perspective on gambling. In P. M. Salkovskis (Ed.), Trends in cognitive therapy (pp. 89–120). Oxford: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., & Walker, M. (1998). The Cognitive approach to understanding and treating pathological gambling. In A. S. Bellack & M. Hersen (Eds.), Comprehensive clinical psychology (pp. 588–601). New York: Pergamon.

    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 

  • Vitaro, F., Ladouceur, R., & Bujold, A. (1996). Predictive and concurrent correlates of gambling in early adolescent boys. Journal of Early Adolescence, 16, 211–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winters, K. C., Stinchfield, R. D., Botzet, A., & Anderson, N. (2002). A prospective study of youth gambling behaviors. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 16(1), 3–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wynne, H. J., Smith, G. J., & Jacobs, D. F. (1996). Adolescent gambling and problem gambling in Alberta. Edmonton, Canada: Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. École de psychologie, Université Laval, QuÉBec, Canada;

    Robert Ladouceur & Francine Ferland

  2. Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada

    Frank Vitaro

Authors
  1. Robert Ladouceur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Francine Ferland
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Frank Vitaro
    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

Ladouceur, R., Ferland, F. & Vitaro, F. Prevention of Problem Gambling: Modifying Misconceptions and Increasing Knowledge Among Canadian Youths. The Journal of Primary Prevention 25, 329–335 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOPP.0000048024.37066.32

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOPP.0000048024.37066.32

Search

Navigation