From adolescence to young adulthood: Associations between simulated and traditional gambling, and the role of parental factors

The study aimed to examine predictors of taking part in traditional gambling, and risk and protective factors for experiencing problems due to traditional gambling. Key factors of interest were engagement in simulated gambling, as well as parental factors because recent research (Hing et al., 2021) has found that parents are key facilitators of gambling amongst adolescents. People who grow up in a household with parents who gamble, or who approve of gambling, are more likely to gamble themselves, and more likely to experience problems with gambling. Similarly, parent-adolescent relationship style (e.g., hostility) has been associated with negative outcomes for young people, including mental health issues and, potentially, addictive behaviours (Diggs et al., 2017). The study also sought to examine influences on both simulated and traditional gambling from parents, other family members and friends. These social influences can reflect learning behaviours from significant others, or may reflect socialising more with people who share interests, or both (Russell, Langham, & Hing, 2018). Simulated gambling games also include social features, which may serve as an important motivation for taking part.