Influence of money script and substance abuse on gambling behavior among emerging adult in lagos

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of money script and substance abuse on gambling behaviour among emerging adults. The general aim of the study was to examine if money script and substance use influence Gambling Behaviour among emerging adults. The participants used for the study were emerging adults around University of Lagos environment which includes Abule Oja, Onike, Akoka and Pako. 253 participants were selected through convenient sampling method, they consisted of 157 males and 96 females. In carrying out the research, three different scales were used which includes, Klontz Money Script Inventory -Revised(KMSI-R), Drug Abuse Scale Test(DAST) and South Oaks Gambling Screen(SOGS). Social learning theory of gambling was adopted which postulate that gambling is a form of behavior which is highly subjected to reinforcement and reward. The study found that 59.6 % of emerging adults around Unilag environs engage in gambling activities which 79.6% are males and 20.4 % are females. Majority of the respondents who gambled reported that they engaged in such activities because of money, this explains the reason why money worship script r(253) = .601, p=.001) had high positive correlation on gambling behavior and money avoiders script r(253)=-343, p=.001) had negative correlation on gambling behavior. The study also reported that emerging adults who gamble are predisposed to the abuse of substances, r(253)=.7, p= .01.The study thereby suggests that government should declare gambling illegal and there should be proper sanctioning on any form of gambling and anyone who gambles should be arrested and punished.