The Role of Psychological Distress in Gambling Participation in Black American College Students: Interim Results of Structural Equation Models
Session Title
Youth Gambling: Risk Factors & Vulnerability
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation
Start Date
28-5-2026 12:00 AM
Abstract
When gambling is motivated by coping with negative affect, players are at greater risk of harm. Black American college students may be especially vulnerable to gambling-related harm due to the intersection of developmental risk, financial constraints, and chronic racism-related stressors. We surveyed over 300 HBCU students on gambling participation and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms). A subsample completed the PGSI if they reported any past-year gambling. Data collection is ongoing (expected completion March 2026); interim results are reported. The sample was largely women (80%) and young (Mage=19). 62% reported past-year gambling; 28% gambled monthly or more. Relative to published norms, participants reported elevated anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms (all ps<.001). In structural equation models, gender predicted past-year gambling participation, whereas distress and age did not. The same trend was observed for gambling frequency. Analyses of distress and gambling-related harm were imprecise in the interim sample; final models will be presented at the conference. In sum, distress was elevated but not reliably associated with gambling participation in interim models, whereas gender differences were robust. Gambling-harm analyses will be reported with the full sample.
The Role of Psychological Distress in Gambling Participation in Black American College Students: Interim Results of Structural Equation Models
When gambling is motivated by coping with negative affect, players are at greater risk of harm. Black American college students may be especially vulnerable to gambling-related harm due to the intersection of developmental risk, financial constraints, and chronic racism-related stressors. We surveyed over 300 HBCU students on gambling participation and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms). A subsample completed the PGSI if they reported any past-year gambling. Data collection is ongoing (expected completion March 2026); interim results are reported. The sample was largely women (80%) and young (Mage=19). 62% reported past-year gambling; 28% gambled monthly or more. Relative to published norms, participants reported elevated anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms (all ps<.001). In structural equation models, gender predicted past-year gambling participation, whereas distress and age did not. The same trend was observed for gambling frequency. Analyses of distress and gambling-related harm were imprecise in the interim sample; final models will be presented at the conference. In sum, distress was elevated but not reliably associated with gambling participation in interim models, whereas gender differences were robust. Gambling-harm analyses will be reported with the full sample.