Impact of Gambling on the Mental and Social Wellbeing of Youths in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Gambling has been associated with risky personality, risky decision-making, and pro-risk behaviour. Personality traits like sensation-seeking, impulsivity and low self-control have been associated with gambling behaviour. People with sensation-seeking traits prefer varied, stimulating experiences and a willingness to engage in risk-taking to obtain such experiences. Therefore, it can lead to poorer mental and social health. Therefore, the study examines the impact of Gambling on the mental and social well-being of youths in Ibadan, Oyo State. The study adopted a qualitative research design and a total of one hundred and fifty youths in Ibadan, Oyo State were selected using purposive and convenience sampling methods. Questionnaires comprised socio-demographics and scales on gambling, social health and mental health. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation were adopted. The findings showed that the prevalence of gambling is high (X=3.11 > 2.50), there is a relationship between gambling and mental health outcomes (X=2.58 > 2.50), the impact of gambling on social health is low (X=2.26 > 2.50), there is a positive relationship in the significant between gambling and Mental health problems; r ₍₁₄₈₎ = .315, p <0.05 and there is a positive relationship in the significant between gambling and Social health; r ₍₁₄₈₎ = .282, p <0.05. It was recommended that Counselling should be done for students who are already addicted to gambling—health education programmes on the reduction of mental health problems.