Teen Gambling: Understanding a Growing Epidemic

by Jeffrey L. Derevensky

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Author: Jeffrey L. Derevensky

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Paperback:
ISBN 10: 1442202270
ISBN 13: 978-1442202276

Today's children and teens are the first generation of youth to grow up in a society where a multiplicity of gambling activities exists and where gambling venues are not only generally accessible but also heavily advertised and promoted. Gambling, once considered to be a harmless form of adult entertainment and recreation has become mainstream. While most forms of regulated gambling are prohibited for underage youth, the age varying depending upon the type of gambling activity and jurisdiction, a growing number of young people are gambling in spite of such restrictions. With increased exposure to different types of gambling, including Internet gambling, more youth are yielding to the temptation and social pressures to engage in these activities. The thrill, excitement, the adrenaline rush, and the potential for 'easy money' makes gambling an alluring activity. Yet, problematic gambling among adolescents has been associated with a number of negative individual mental health outcomes, interpersonal problems, school-related academic difficulties, financial difficulties, and legal problems. Equally disturbing is the fact that while parents are well aware of the risks associated with other adolescent risky behaviors (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, and drug use), recent research suggests that teen gambling is not viewed as a risky behavior. Here, Derevensky offers an overview of the problems associated with underage gambling, and provides a roadmap for parents and educators, and anyone who works with youth, to help underage problem gamblers address their addictions and get the help they need.

Review

“This is a must read book for anyone interested in the field of adolescent gambling. It synthesizes the empirical evidence from all around the world and serves as a 'one-stop shop' for anyone who wants to know anything about youth gambling." (Mark Griffiths, Ph.D., professor, Psychology Division, Nottingham Trent University, UK)

“Dr. Derevensky has issued a clarion call for a better understanding and prevention of teen gambling. Derived from his decades of research and treatment experience, this book provides valuable perspective on the problem of youth gambling and what to do about it. Dr. Derevensky provides a unique and comprehensive review of youth gambling and its impact on our young people as only he can do. This book is for anyone interested in our collective future, and our children.” (Howard J. Shaffer, Ph.D., C.A.S., associate professor, Harvard Medical School, and director, Division on Addiction, The Cambridge Health Alliance)

“In this book, Dr. Jeffrey Derevensky, the world’s leading authority on youth gambling, provides an up-to-date and accessible volume on the current status of teen gambling. As most teens gamble and early life gambling is associated with current problems as well as ones later in life, the book addresses an important public health concern. The book is a must-read for people who share interests in promoting youth health, including parents, teachers, school administrators, clinicians, and policy makers.” (Marc N. Potenza, MD, PhD, director, Yale Center of Excellence in Gambling Research, and professor of Psychiatry, Child Study and Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine)

“An excellent resource for everyone involved in gambling issues and an important wake up call for youth advocates, clinicians and researchers. The profound clinical and policy implications of teen gambling are explored in depth by the leading expert in the field.” (Keith Whyte, executive director, National Council on Problem Gambling)

“Jeffrey Derevensky explains the significance of the growing availability and acceptability of gambling. While in the past an underage person may have needed to circumvent casino security, a gambling opportunity can now be as close as his or her smartphone. This excellent book covers what is known about youth gambling, and points the way for future advances. It should be read by everyone concerned about the problem.” (John W. Welte, Senior Research Scientist, Research Institute on Addictions)

“In Teen Gambling: Understanding a Growing Epidemic, Dr. Derevensky captures the significance and complexity of youth gambling problems within the larger societal context through a fascinating review of the field’s current research. He shares his comprehensive understanding of the adolescent gambler and of the risk factors that may set the stage for gambling initiation, maintenance and preoccupation. Certainly, this book provides clinicians, policy makers and those working with adolescents with important tools to identify and help these youth through prevention initiatives and treatment interventions.” (Meredith A. M. Gillespie, Ph.D., C. Psych, Clinical Child Psychologist, Toronto, Ontario)

About the Author

Jeffrey Derevensky is a child psychologist and currently Professor and Director of Clinical Training of School/Applied Child Psychology, Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology; Professor, Department of Psychiatry; and Professor, Department of Community Dentistry at McGill University. As well, he is Co-director of the McGill University's Youth Gambling Research & Treatment Clinic and McGill University's International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors. He is a clinical consultant to numerous hospitals, school boards, government agencies and corporations. He is the co-editor of the textbook Gambling Problems in Youth: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives (Kluwer/Plenum, 2004), and he is the author of several book chapters, journal articles, research reports, book reviews, and curriculum materials.