An exploratory study of alcohol dependence and problem gambling co-development trajectories in young adults

ABSTRACT

This study examines whether there are multiple trajectories of alcohol dependence and problem gambling symptom co-occurrence in a sample (n = 679) of emerging adults. Six joint trajectory classes were identified and several baseline risk factors were associated with increased probability of being in more problematic joint trajectory classes relative to the low-risk normative class. There was no joint trajectory class characterized by both higher problem gambling risk and persistent high alcohol dependence, suggesting that alcohol dependence and problem gambling are not directly related but perhaps share common underlying causes. Contrary to this, though, none of the examined risk factors were common to both more problematic gambling and drinking trajectories. Overall, the findings (which should be considered exploratory due to small class sizes) suggest the co-development of alcohol and gambling is not uniform across all young adults, and that the reciprocal nature of this relationship in adulthood may not solidify until later in young adulthood. Future research should re-examine these findings with a larger sample, spanning further into adulthood, with additional risk factors.

KEYWORDS:

• Problem gambling
• alcohol
• young adults
• longitudinal
• subtypes

Competing interest

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Constraints on publishing

No external funders influenced the preparation and publication of this manuscript.

Notes

1. ‘Low-risk drinking guideline 1 (chronic) – People who drink within this guideline must drink no more than 10 drinks a week for women, with no more than 2 drinks a day most days and 15 drinks a week for men, with no more than 3 drinks a day most days. Plan non-drinking days every week to avoid developing a habit. Low-risk drinking guideline 2 (acute) – Those who drink within this guideline must drink no more than 3 drinks (for women) and 4 drinks (for men) on any single occasion. Plan to drink in a safe environment. Stay within the weekly limits outlined in Guideline 1’ (Health Canada, 2012).

2. The MLSYA project was originally funded by the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, and the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation. The primary intention was to learn about gambling behaviours specific to young adults in Manitoba – though many additional indicators were included that could be analysed either in conjunction with gambling or separately (http://digitalcollection.gov.mb.ca/awweb/pdfopener?smd=1&did=17604&md=1). Permission for the use of this de-identified data was given by the data set proprietor Manitoba Liquor and Gaming Authority.

3. In addition to BIC and entropy values, the Lo-Mendell-Rubin likelihood ratio test and the bootstrap likelihood ratio test are also recommended to assess class model fit (Jung & Wickrama, 2008; Nylund, Aspaouhov, & Muthén, 2007). However, both are unavailable for models using imputed data.

4. The wave 1–4 prevalence rates of moderate-risk gambling (PGSI raw score between 5 and 7) were 3.2%, 1.9%, 0.7% and 1.1%, and only 1.5%, 1.4%, 1.6% and 0.9% for problem gambling (PGSI raw score of 8 or more).

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Manitoba Gambling Research Program of Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (Grant # MGRP-FR-12-14-11); however, the findings and conclusions of this article are those solely of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries; Manitoba Gambling Research Program [Grant # MGRP-FR-12-14-11].

Notes on contributors

Jason D. Edgerton

Jason D. Edgerton is an associate professor in the Sociology Department and senior fellow at St John’s College, University of Manitoba (Canada). His research interests focus on the various dimensions of social inequality and educational issues, as well as youth gambling, addiction and mental health. He is co-author of the social statistics textbook Understanding Social Statistics (Oxford University Press).

Matthew T. Keough

Matthew T. Keough is an assistant professor in the Psychology Department, University of Manitoba (Canada). His research focuses on improving our understanding of the etiology and treatment of addictive behaviour, including both substance use and behavioural addictions.

Lance W. Roberts

Lance W. Roberts is a professor in the Sociology Department and senior fellow at St John’s College, University of Manitoba (Canada). His recent publications include national and international studies of educational issues and youth gambling. He has co-authored several sociology textbooks, including Understanding Social Statistics, Fundamentals of Social Research and Sociology: Your Compass for a New World.