Influences On Gambling Among Adolescents In Ibadan Nigeria

Abstract

The study focused on the relationship between the mass media, parental and peer influences on gambling among adolescent. Five hundred students were randomly selected for the study from fifteen secondary schools in Ibadan metropolis. The two instruments used were author constructed questionnaires with 0.65 and 0.68 as reliability coefficient respectively. The data obtained were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The result indicated that significant relationship existed between the mass media, parental, and peer influences. The result further indicated that, a combination of the independent variables significantly predicted gambling among adolescent. Based on the findings, it was recommended that, those in the helping profession should take cognizance of those variables that have been found to influence adolescent gambling behaviours.

Keywords: Gambling behaviour, Adolescents, Mass media, Parental influence, Peer group.

African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol. 11 (1&2) 2008: pp. 174-182