Study Says Adolescent Gambling Relates to Disorderly Conduct

A new survey shows that teenagers who display conduct problems are likely to have problem gambling issues as well.

Boys that act out or are disruptive in social situations tend to display problem gambling symptoms as well, according to a study by the Research Institute on Addictions at the University of Buffalo. However, girls show lower rates of behavioral control issues, and much less incidence of gambling or risky behavior.

About ten percent of teenage boys show signs of conduct disorder. Those in this group end up with a 23 percent rate of problem gambling signs. The boys that did not have behavior issues tested for a rate of only 5 percent for problem gambling.

The effect was at its strongest in the 14-15 age group, in which probability of problem gambling symptoms increased 80 percent with each recorded instance of conduct disorder. As age increased, the correlation declined, until by 20 no relationship between conduct and gambling could be discerned.

Among the symptoms of behavioral disorder are lying, stealing, vandalism, aggression, and substance abuse.

The study was conducted by Dr. John Welte, who wrote the report, and associates on 2274 adolescents between 14 and 21. The study was published this month in the Journal of Adolescent Health.