Young Adult Gambling Behaviors and their Relationship with the Persistence of ADHD

Journal of Gambling Studies

Abstract  Young adulthood is a period renowned for engagement in impulsive and risky behaviors, including gambling. There are some indications that young adults exhibit higher gambling rates in comparison to older adults. Problem gambling has also been linked to ADHD. This longitudinal study examines the relationship between gambling and ADHD among an epidemiological sample of young adults (n = 235; males = 179, females = 56) aged 18-24. Results indicate that individuals who report childhood ADHD symptoms which persist into young adulthood experience greater gambling problem severity than participants with no ADHD or those with non-persistent ADHD.
Jessie Breyer, Andria Botzet, Ken Winters, Randy Stinchfield, Gerald August, George Realmuto