Impact of childhood exposure to family problem gambling on adult gambling pathology.

Abstract

Does the apple fall far from the tree? Proverbs 22:6 says: "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." One theory from the social sciences termed Social Learning Theory would seem to be godly wisdom - that is - when children see what their family does, they are likely to do the same. Many studies have examined the apparent causes of pathological gambling. This study finds that childhood exposure to problem gambling in the family is significantly associated with adult outcomes of pathological gambling. Additionally for those who are not substance abusers nor mentally ill, childhood exposure to non-problem gambling is significantly associated with pathological gambling. This conclusion suggests that all social cost of gambling measures suffer from underestimation bias.