Gambling Behavior Among a Sample of Adolescents and Adults in Alberta David Casey, Ph.D. University of Calgary AGRI Conference 2007

Investigators Involved in the Leisure, Lifestyle, Lifecycle Project Nady el-Guebaly, MD David Hodgins, Ph.D. Garry Smith, Ph.D. Rob Williams, Ph.D. Don Schopflocher, Ph.D. Rob Wood, Ph.D. 1: Professor and Head, Addiction Psychiatry, University of Calgary. 2: Professor, University of Calgary 3: Professor Emeritus, University of Alberta 4: Professor, University of Lethbridge 5: Adjunct Associate Professor Epidemiology, University of Alberta 6: Associate Professor, University of Lethbridge Funding for this Project is from the Alberta Gaming Research Institute

Outline Background information Design of the study Some preliminary results from the study What did we learn from the study Plans for future data collection

Background

Gambling in Alberta 82% of adults gambled in previous year Few studies of determinants of gambling & disordered gambling Interested in better understanding: Factors that promote responsible gambling Factors that make some susceptible to problem gambling Longitudinal study most optimal methodology for this investigation Examples Barnes, 1999 Slutske, 2003 Vitaro, 1996 Winters, 1993 & 2002

Background (cont’d) A prospective, multi cohort longitudinal study of gambling behavior Study Albertans over a 5-year period Testing a biopsychosocial model of gambling Data collection has been completed for Time 1 3 additional follow up interviews over the next 4 years Initial sample Stratified by region of the province 5 age groups Divided into at-risk gamblers & general population

Biopsychosocial Model for Gambling

Methods

Methods – Participants Time # Participants General Population At-Risk Population At-Risk Pop. Non At-Risk Pop. All Non-At-Risk Pop. At-Risk All At-Risk Pop

Methods - Procedures Recruited through Random Digit Dialing (RDD) at 4 locations: Calgary Edmonton Grande Prairie (and surrounding communities) Lethbridge (and surrounding communities) Start and end for data collection was staggered between sites Start: Feb 8, 2006 to Mar 20, 2006 End: Aug 26, 2006 to Oct 21, 2006 Some of the at-risk were recruited using other techniques – will discuss later

Methods - Procedures For all participants who met the criteria for age, residence, etc., there was: Telephone interview Subcontracted the completion of these interviews Adult interviews (~ 45 minutes) Adolescent interviews (~ 30 minutes) Majority of demographic & gambling questions Face-to-face interview Completed by Research Assistants Adult interviews (~ 3 hrs) Adolescent interviews (~ 2 hrs) Parent interviews (~ 40 minutes)

Methods - Procedures Based on expenditure and frequency Based on cohort screener questions Cutoffs for the 70 th percentile For each of the age cohorts and gender Ages 18-20, 23-25, 43-45, and 63-65:  Spending GREATER than $10.00 in a typical month OR  Gambling at least a couple of times a month Ages 13-15:  Spending GREATER than $0.00 in a typical month  Gambling at least less than once a month

Methods - Measures Demographic questions Age, gender, education, etc. Multiple areas of gambling were assessed: 1. Gambling Behavior: Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI)  Frequency of gambling  Amount of gambling  Type of gambling 2. Attitudes Toward Gambling Questionnaire  Canada West Foundation  Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission  3 Questions developed by Rob Williams

Results Demographics: All Non-At-Risk versus At-Risk

Age of Participants

Gender of Adult Participants

Gender of Adolescent Participants

Location of Participants

Education Level of Adult Participants

Current Employment Status of Adult Participants

Results Gambling Questions: Frequency, Amount, & Attitudes

Spent Money on Gambling Activities: Past Year for Adults

Spent Money on Gambling Activities: Past Year for Adolescents

Frequency of Gambling: Adults

Frequency of Gambling: A Typical Month for Adults (Screener)

Frequency of Gambling: A Typical Month for Adolescents (Screener)

Risk Assessment for Gambling Problem: Adults

Largest Amount Lost in Single Year: Adults

Gambling Attitude Questionnaire: Adults

Gambling Attitude Questionnaire: Adolescents

What did we Learn? and Plans for Future Direction

What did We Learn? Difficult to recruit using Random Digit Dialing Call display Blocking Do not call lists Saturation of the market Time of year Interviews occurred in July & August More difficult to get a hold of people & to participate

What did We Learn? (cont’d) Difficult to recruit at-risk or high-risk gamblers More difficult than expected Tried using supplemental recruitment techniques: Media release Posters in gambling establishments Ads in local papers A “snowball” Only provided us with additional 30 participants

What did We Learn? (cont’d) Telephone to face-to-face interview retention: Lost more between the telephone interview & face-to-face than was anticipated Some did not feel $75 was enough incentive Booming economy More difficult to get participants Face-to-face interviews Participants enjoyed the personal interaction with Research Assistants

Plans for Future Data Collection 3 more data collection Spread over the next 4 years Currently in the process of organizing for Time 2 Data collection for Time 2 will begin in Sept., 2007 Gambling behavior will be tracked over these 4 years Constructs associated with biological, psychological, and social factors Last 3 data collections, participants will complete the surveys using a web-based system Genetic study Have received funding Examine the relationship between pathological gambling and genetic markers

Thanks Questions? David Casey, Ph.D. University of Calgary