Problem gambling, as with gambling in general, is associated with familial and social factors. Youth who were level 2 or level 3 gamblers were much more likely to be boys, to have begun in grade school and to have parents who gamble. These findings are similar to findings of similar studies done in other states as well as Canada (Govoni, Rupcich and Frisch, 1996; Wallish, 1995; Winters et al., 1993b). Since grade of onset appears to influence the development of problem gambling, the possibility that grade of onset has been decreasing over time may be of some concern. That is to say that the older respondents in this sample were significantly less likely to report gambling in grade school than the younger respondents. This finding is not unique to the Oregon population but has also been found in studies in Louisiana (Westphal et al., 1998) and Minnesota (Stinchfield et al.,1993b). Thus, it appears likely that, compared to a few years ago, adolescents are beginning to gamble at an earlier age. If this is the case, and if age of onset is associated with the development of problem gambling, then it is very possible that the rates of problem gambling will increase over time. However, future research using larger sample sizes and a prospective research design are needed to confirm this.
It may also be the case that rates of adolescent problem gambling will move in tandem with rates of adult problem gambling. In this study, there was a significant relationship between grade of onset and problem gambling for children whose parents gambled, but not for children of abstainers. This suggests that gamblers who began early in life may be more likely to develop into problem gamblers if their parents gamble than if they don't. This finding must be supported by further research before any definitive conclusions can be made.
Another risk factor associated with problem gambling is substance use. In the current study, youth who smoked, drank, or used drugs were more likely to gamble, and were also more likely to be level 2 or level 3 gamblers. This finding is supported by previous research done in other states. Westphal et al.'s (1998) survey of Louisiana adolescents also found a modest but significant correlation between drinking, drug use and SOGS-RA score.