Thesis (M.A.)--McGill University (Canada), 2000. / Adviser: Rina Gupta. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity Western University (Canada), 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McGill University (Canada), 2002. / Adviser: Robert Bracewell. Includes bibliographical references.

The present study examined developmental and gender differences in youths' attitudes toward gambling. Phase I of the study involved a quantitative analysis of gambling attitudes among 1408 students from Elementary and Secondary Schools. Participants ranging from 8 to 20 years of age completed the Attitudes and Gambling Activities Questionnaire (AGAQ) and scaled questions designed to delineate the perceived degree of skill and luck involved in various gambling activities. The frequency and reasons youth engage in specific gambling activities and explored attitudes and their relationship to perceptions of perceived control over gambling outcomes. Results revealed age and gender related attitudes toward gambling that may increase their vulnerability to developing problem gambling were examined. Older youth expressed more tolerance of gambling activities while young children under-estimated the addictive nature of gambling and over-estimated the degree of control over gambling outcomes. Males expressed being less fearful of getting caught gambling and had much more tolerant attitudes toward gambling behaviors. Furthermore, those youth found to have a greater number of permissive and/or irresponsible attitudes also had greater misperceptions concerning the degree of skill involved in gambling. Phase II of the study elaborated upon quantitative findings through focus group analysis involving 59 participants in grades 4, 7, 9 and 11. Results expanded upon findings regarding youths' perceptions of gambling and attitudes towards gambling at school, and outline youths' understanding of responsible gambling. Findings are discussed in terms of their utility for youth problem gambling prevention programming and future directions for research are suggested.

The present study examined the relationship between several risk and protective variables associated with problem gambling, substance abuse, and other multiple risk-taking activities by adolescents. With the goal of identifying protective factors that prevent youth from escalating from social gambling to serious problem gambling, this research examined the relationship between family cohesion, school connectedness, coping and adaptive behaviours, mentor relationships, achievement motivation, involvement in conventional organizations, and the development of three health-compromising outcomes---youth problem gambling, substance abuse, and involvement in multiple risk-taking behaviours (e.g., smoking, unsafe sexual activity, and reckless driving). The sample consisted of 2,179 students, ages 11 to 19, in the Province of Ontario. Family and school connectedness were associated with decreased involvement in excessive gambling, substance use, and multiple risk-taking activities. Furthermore, an examination of the effect of potential protective factors on a set of risk factors predictive of adolescent problem gambling suggested that family cohesion plays a role in the prediction of probable pathological gamblers and those at risk for developing a gambling problem. These findings were interpreted with respect to their implications for the development and implementation of prevention programs.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McGill University (Canada), 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--McGill University (Canada), 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--McGill University (Canada), 2004. / "Running head: Internet gambling among youth" Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McGill University (Canada), 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.