Research Highlights Play Among Pacific Youth and Their Mothers



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New research funded by the Department of Health has highlighted the gambling habits of Pacific youth and their mothers. Among the results, more than half of the 14-year-old Pacific youth have played at least once in their lifetime, while one in 27 of the youth studied was a compulsive gambler.

The research is part of the Longitudinal Study of Pacific Island Families (PIF) conducted by the University of Auckland Technology (AUT), which follows a cohort of children. born in 2000, and their parents.

the scale of gambling and problem gambling, the study evaluated the risk factors for gambling participation and expenses. In the case of Pacific youth, bullying at school has been identified as a risk factor, as is gang involvement, video / computer games, watching TV / video / DVD and having a mother who played.

52% of Pacific mothers studied had played in the year prior to data collection in 2014. Overall, of all mothers, 2.9% were moderately injured and 0 , 7% were classified as problem gamblers.

Mothers' participation included alcohol consumption, victimization or verbal aggression, and increased levels of deprivation. Meanwhile, maintaining a high level of alignment with Pacific culture, coupled with a low level of alignment with New Zealand culture, was associated with risky gambling behavior. "We need to put in place measures to help people maintain or strengthen their Pacific culture while developing a sense of belonging to New Zealand culture and society," says Dr. El-Shadan Tautolo, director of the PIF study. –

The longitudinal nature of the study provided useful insights into changes in gambling behaviors and risk factors over time, as well as on social, family and environmental levels. factors associated with gambling.

Dr. Maria Bellringer, Lead Author of the Report and Associate Director of the TUE Games and Addictions Research Center, "Mothers' Play Behaviors Influence Their Children's Behavior, Adult education and public health campaigns are essential to stem the negative effects of gambling and its intergenerational transfer, "she said.

Dr. Tautolo is also aware of the intergenerational implications within families and, as the data are being collected from a large group of mostly Pacific family units, he feels that the consequences for the community of Pacific could be huge. a comprehensive strategy is needed to tackle gambling problems and related damage for Pacific populations. This strategy must take into account the importance of advocacy, workforce development and health promotion.

Dr. Tautolo also highlights the importance of preventive measures to protect Pacific youth from problem gambling. In life.

"We know that bullying and gang involvement are risk factors for gambling," he says. "We now need to ensure that interventions minimize the risk of participating in gambling – working to reduce the attractiveness of gang membership and provide effective support to youth who have been bullied, so that They do not turn to harmful behaviors like gambling. "

For help or confidential advice regarding gambling problems, please contact the hotline at 0800 654 655 or 8006

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