School Factors Associated with Past-Month Gambling Among A Large Sample of Adolescents

Abstract

: The present study sought to identify school factors associated with recent gambling (gambling within the past 30 days). We used pooled data from the 2016, 2018, and 2020 PRIDE data set among 108,690 adolescents among 13 local public schools. A sizeable percentage (13.1%) of adolescents reported gambling in the past 30 days. Results from multiple logistic regression analyses found differences based on demographic factors, previous substance use, and school factors. Adolescents at highest risk were those who were male, non-white, in high school, sold drugs, used their technological devices other than for school purposes, and participated in violent activities in the past 30 days. Worrying rates of substance use were also found. Findings from the present study can inform harm reduction efforts, prevention messaging, and clinical interventions related to adolescent gambling.