1. Gambling in adolescents: Potential for intervention
Dr Sumaya Mall (PhD)
Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
School of Public Health
University of the Witwatersrand

2. Introductions
Senior lecturer in the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the School of Public Health
Strong interest in mental disorders, their distribution, risk factors for mental illness and where to intervene
Generating knowledge and evidence on these topics
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3. Structure of presentation
Map out the terrain of research in gambling issues in adolescents
Focus on detection of gambling disorder in adolescents
Discuss potential means of intervention
Discuss potential synergies in research in this field

4. Introduction
Gambling disorder refers to loss of control over gambling, irrational thinking, distorted cognitions and preoccupation
Globally, prevalence of gambling disorder ranges between 0.5% and 2%
3% of the general adult population in South Africa are thought to be at risk of gambling disorder
Gambling disorder is associated with comorbid psychiatric conditions and financial insecurity

6. So what happens in adolescence
Adolescence is a critical period of psychological development often characterized by risk taking
Risk of substance use, risky sexual behaviour and internalizing and externalizing mental disorders
Sena and colleagues report insufficient physical activity, sedentary behavior, skipping breakfast, and low diet quality among adolescents in Brazil

9. Gambling disorder in adolescents
Meta-analyses from high income counties suggest prevalence of gambling disorder among adolescents to range between %
Several risk factors including income inequality, parental and peer gambling, childhood trauma and under performance at school
Correlates include substance abuse including alcohol and tobacco as well as violence and aggression

13. So let’s be practical…

15. Global Appraisal of Individual Needs short screener (GAIN – SS)

16. Global Appraisal of Individual Needs short screener (GAIN – SS)

17. Synergies for research and intervention
Once we have evidence of risk factors associated with adolescent gambling disorder, we can think about prevention
As well as intervention
Recommendations for further rigorous studies to elucidate risk factors
Implications for screening in practice