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Intergenerational Transmission of Gambling: Links Between Young Adult and Perceived Grandparent Gambling Attitudes and Behavior

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Abstract

This study examined associations between the gambling attitudes and behavior of 213 young adults and their perceptions of the gambling attitudes and behavior of their closest grandparent. Regression analyses showed that young adult gambling attitudes mediated the relations between perceived grandparent gambling attitudes and behavior and young adult gambling behavior. Grandparent–grandchild relationship quality experienced while growing up did not moderate the relations between young adult and perceived grandparent gambling attitudes and behavior. Men experienced gambling at a younger age and reported more positive gambling attitudes, more frequent gambling activity, higher levels of gambling pathology, and higher levels of gambling affinity than women. Implications of results and suggestions for future research are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Melissa DeLisle, Jenna Hoffert, Renee Lawler, Melissa McCanney, Megan Mills, Rebecca Moll, and Bethany Petry for their assistance with data collection. This paper is based on a thesis completed by the first author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master’s degree from North Dakota State University. We would like to thank the members of her committee: Margaret Fitzgerald, Greg Sanders, and Kevin Thompson. NIH Grant Number P20 RR016741 from the INBRE Program of the National Center for Research Resources, the Dean of Human Development and Education at NDSU through the Support to Build Research Capability mechanism, and the Department of Human Development and Family Science.

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  1. North Dakota State University Dept. 2615, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND, 58108-6050, USA

    Andrea M. Lang & Brandy A. Randall

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Lang, A.M., Randall, B.A. Intergenerational Transmission of Gambling: Links Between Young Adult and Perceived Grandparent Gambling Attitudes and Behavior. J Gambl Stud 29, 551–573 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-012-9313-1

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