Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Pathways Model as Harm Minimization for Youth Gamblers in Educational Settings

  • Published:
Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Prevalence studies have indicated that a significant percentage of school-age youth exhibit problem or pathological gambling behaviors. However, to date there are few guidelines to assist educators in identifying those at risk and incorporating harm-reduction strategies into school curricula. This paper proposes using the Pathways Model of pathological gambling (Blaszczynski, 1998; Blaszczynski & Nower, 2002) as a harm-minimization strategy to guide social workers and other educators in effectively assessing, discriminating, and managing discrete subgroups of youth problem gamblers in educational settings and referring them to appropriate services. The Pathways Model asserts that a multiple range of specific psychological, biological, and socio-ecological variables interact at differential levels to form three distinct routes leading to the manifestation of superficially similar phenomenological characteristics and symptoms. It is argued that an understanding of the relevance and psychological implications of each separate pathway will greatly assist in the application of early intervention and prevention strategies, designed to effectively minimize the potential harm associated with youth problem gambling behaviors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Reference

  • Abbott, M. W. & Volberg, R. (1996). The New Zealand national survey of problem and pathological gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12, 43-160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (1996). Playing for keeps: Adolescent gambling high school presentation kit. Edmonton, Alberta: Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (2001). Your best bet—when young people gamble. Edmonton, Alberta: Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.—text revised). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A. (1998). Overcoming compulsive gambling. London: Robinson Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A. & Nower, L. (2002). A pathways model of pathological gambling. Addiction, 97, 487-500.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A., Sharpe, L., & Walker, M. (2001). The assessment of the impact of the reconfiguration on electronic gaming machines as harm minimisation strategies for problem gambling (Gaming Industry Operators Group report). Sydney: University of Sydney.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A., Steel, Z., & McConaghy, N. (1997). Impulsivity in pathological gambling: the antisocial impulsivist. Addiction, 92, 75-87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blum, K., Braverman, E. R., Holder, J. M., Lubar, J. F., Monastra, V. J., Miller, D., Lubar, J. O., et al. (2000). Reward deficiency syndrome: a biogenetic model for the diagnosis and treatment of impulsive, addictive, and compulsive behaviors. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 32, 1-112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (2001). Promoting Community Awareness of Problem Gambling, Resource Package. Toronto, Ontario: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheung, Y. W. (2000). Substance abuse and developments in harm reduction. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 162, 1697-1700.

    Google Scholar 

  • Comings, D. E., Rosenthal, R. J., Lesieur, H. R., & Rugle, L. (1996). A study of the dopamine D2 receptor gene in pathological gambling. Pharmacogenetics, 6, 223-234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darbyshire, P., Oster, C., & Carrig, H. (2001). The experience of pervasive loss: Children and young people living in a family where parental gambling is a problem. Journal of Gambling Studies, 17, 23-45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dell, L. J., Ruzicka, M. E., & Palisi, A. T. (1981). Personality and other factors associated with gambling addiction. International Journal of Addiction, 16, 149-156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derevensky, J. L., Gupta, R., & Della Cioppa, G. (1996). A developmental perspective of gambling behaviors in children and adolescents. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12, 49-66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derevensky, J. L., Gupta, R., Dickson, L., & Deguire, A.-E. (2001). Prevention efforts toward minimizing gambling problems (National Council on Problem Gambling report). Montreal: McGill University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisen, S. A., Slutske, W. S., Lyons, M. J., Lassman, J., Xian, H., Toomey, R., Chantarujikapong, S., & Tsuang, M. T. (2001). The genetics of pathological gambling. Seminars in Clinical Neuropsychiatry, 6, 195-204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, S. (1992). Measuring pathological gambling in children: The case of fruit machines in the U. K. Journal of Gambling Studies, 8, 263-285.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, S. (2000). Developing the DSM-IV-MR-J criteria to identify adolescent problem gambling in non-clinical populations. Journal of Gambling Studies, 16, 253-273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, M. (1990). The cognitive psychology of gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 6, 31-42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, M. (1995). Adolescent gambling. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grun, L. & McKeigue, P. (2000). Prevalence of excessive gambling before and after introduction of a national lottery in the United Kingdom: Another example of the single distribution theory. Addiction, 95, 959-966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R. & Derevensky, J. L. (1996). The relationship between gambling and video game playing behavior in children and adolescents. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12, 375-394.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R. & Derevensky, J. L. (1997). Familial and social influences in juvenile gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 13, 179-192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R. & Derevensky, J. L. (1998a). An empirical examination of Jacob's General Theory of Addictions: Do adolescent gamblers fit the theory? Journal of Gambling Studies, 14, 17-49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R. & Derevensky, J. L. (1998b). Adolescent gambling behavior: a prevalence study and examination of the correlates associated with problem gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 14, 319-345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R. & Derevensky, J. L. (2000). Adolescents with gambling problems: From research to treatment. Journal of Gambling Studies, 16, 315-342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardoon, K. K. & Derevensky, J. L. (2002). Child and adolescent gambling behavior: current knowledge. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 7, 263-281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvard Medical School & Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling (2000). Facing the odds: The mathematics of gambling and other risks. Boston: Harvard Medical School & Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, D. F. (1986). A general theory of addictions: A new theoretical model. Journal of Gambling Behavior, 2, 15-31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, D. F. (1988). Evidence for a common dissociative like reaction among addicts. Journal of Gambling Behavior, 4, 27-37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, D. F. (2000). Juvenile gambling in North America: An analysis of long-term trends and future prospects. Journal of Gambling Studies, 16, 119-152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korn, D. A. (2000). Expansion of gambling in Canada: Implications for health and social policy. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 163, 61-64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korn, D. A. & Shaffer, H. J. (1999). Gambling and the health of the public: Adopting a public health perspective. Journal of Gambling Studies, 15, 289-365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korn, D. A. & Skinner, H. (2000). Gambling expansion in Canada: An emerging public health issue. Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Public Health Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., Boudreault, N., Jacques, C., & Vitaro, F. (1999). Pathological gambling and related problems among adolescents. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 8, 55-68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., Dube, D., & Bujold, A. (1994). Gambling among primary school students. Journal of Gambling Studies, 10, 363-370.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., Vitaro, F., & Cote, M-A (2001). Parents' attitudes, knowledge, and behavior toward youth gambling: A five-year follow-up. Journal of Gambling Studies, 17, 101-116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R. & Walker, M. (1996). A cognitive perspective on gambling. In P. M. Salkovskies (Ed.), Trends in Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (pp. 89-120). London: John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Groupe Jeunesse (2000). Count me out: Awareness program for the prevention of gambling dependency. Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Le Groupe Jeunesse.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenton, S. & Single, E. (1998). The definition of harm reduction. Drug and Alcohol Review, 17, 213-220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mangham, C. (2001). Harm reduction or reducing harm? Canadian Medical Association Journal, 164, 173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minnesota Institute of Public Health (1994). Improving your odds: A curriculum about winning, losing, and staying out of trouble with gambling. Anoka, MN: Minnesota Institute of Public Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minnesota Institute of Public Health (1997). Table talk: A program for families about winning, losing, and staying out of trouble with gambling. Anoka, MN: Minnesota Institute of Public Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council (1999). Pathological gambling: A critical review. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nova Scotia Department of Health (1997). Drawing the line: A resource for the prevention of problem gambling. Nova Scotia, Canada: Province of Nova Scotia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Potenza, M. N. (2001). The neurobiology of pathological gambling. Seminars in Clinical Neuropsychiatry, 6, 217-226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, J., Hardoon, K., Derevensky, J. L., & Gupta, R. (1999). Gambling and risk-taking behavior among university students. Substance Use and Misuse, 34, 1167-1184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Queensland School Curriculum Council (2000a). Gambling and health: Communication skills. Queensland, Australia: State of Queensland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Queensland School Curriculum Council (2000b). Gambling: Minimising health risks. Queensland, Australia: State of Queensland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riley, D., Sawka, E., Conley, P., Hewitt, D., Mitic, W., Poulin, C., et al. (1999). Harm reduction: Conceptions and practice. A policy discussion paper. Substance Use and Misuse, 34, 9-24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rugle, L. & Melamed, L. (1993). Neuropsychological assessment of attention problems in pathological gamblers. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 181, 107-112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saskatchewan Health (1999). Gambling: Reducing the risks. A problem gambling prevention teaching resource to support middle level health education. Saskatoon, SK: Saskatchewan Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, H. J., Forman, D. P., Scanlan, K. M., & Smith, F. (2000). Awareness of gambling-related problems, policies and educational programs among high school and college administrators. Journal of Gambling Studies, 16, 93-101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, H. J. & Hall, M. N. (1996). Estimating prevalence of adolescent gambling disorders: A quantitative synthesis and guide toward standard gambling nomenclature. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12, 193-214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Single, E. (2000, May). Harm reduction as the basis for drug policy: What does it matter and how does it matter? Paper presented at Addictions Millenium 2000 Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

  • Stinchfield, R., Cassuto, N., Winters, K., & Latimer, W. (1997). Prevalence of gambling among Minnesota public school students in 1992 and 1995. Journal of Gambling Studies, 13, 25-48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Wormer, K. (1999). Harm induction vs harm reduction: Comparing American and British approaches to drug use. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 29, 35-48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitaro, F., Arseneault, L., & Tremblay, R. E. (1997). Dispositional predictors of problem gambling in male adolescents. American Journal of Psychiatry, 154, 1769-1770.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitaro, F., Arseneault, L., & Tremblay, R. E. (1999). Impulsivity predicts problem gambling in low SES adolescent males. Addiction, 94, 565-575.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitaro, F., Brendgen, M., Ladouceur, R., & Tremblay, R. E. (2001). Gambling, delinquency, and drug use during adolescence: Mutual influences and common risk factors. Journal of Gambling Studies, 17, 171-190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitaro, F., Ferland, F., Jacques, C., & Ladouceur, R. (1998). Gambling, substance use, and impulsivity during adolescence. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 12, 185-194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitaro, F., Ladouceur, R., & Bujold, A. (1996). Predictive and concurrent correlates of gambling in early adolescent boys. Journal of Early Adolescence, 16, 211-228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volberg, R. (1993). Gambling and problem gambling among adolescents in Washington State: Report to the Washington State Lottery. Albany, NY: Gemini Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volberg, R. (1996). Gambling and problem gambling in New York: A ten year replication survey, 1986–1996: Report to the New York Council on Problem Gambling. Albany, NY: Gemini Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winters, K. C., Stinchfield, R. D., & Fulkerson, J. (1993). Toward a development of an adolescent gambling problem severity scale. Journal of Gambling Studies, 9, 63-84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winters, K. C., Stinchfield, R. D., & Kim, L. G. (1995). Monitoring adolescent gambling in Minnesota. Journal of Gambling Studies, 11, 165-183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, R. T.A. & Griffiths, M. D. (1998) The acquisition, development and maintenance of lottery and scratchcard gambling in adolescence. Journal of Adolescence, 21, 265-273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wynne, H., Smith, G., & Jacobs, D. F. (1996). Adolescent gambling and problem gambling in Alberta. Edmonton, Alberta: Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Missouri-St. Louis, 8001 Natural Bridge Road–Lucas 590, St. Louis, MO, 63121

    Lia Nower

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Sydney, Australia

    Alex Blaszczynski

Authors
  1. Lia Nower
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alex Blaszczynski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nower, L., Blaszczynski, A. The Pathways Model as Harm Minimization for Youth Gamblers in Educational Settings. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal 21, 25–45 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:CASW.0000012347.61618.f7

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:CASW.0000012347.61618.f7

Search

Navigation