PSYCHOSOCIAL PREDICTOR OF ONLINE GAMBLING BEHAVIOUR AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the psychosocial predictors of online gambling behaviour among young adults in Abuja, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design and gathered data from 242 young adults in Abuja. Age distribution shows that more of the respondents 92 (38%) were between 20 and 24 years old. Findings revealed that while social support had a negative relationship with online gambling behaviour (β= -.28; t = -3.87; p < .01), the financial strain was found to positively predict online gambling behaviour (β= .38; t = 5.98; p < .01). It was concluded that financial strain and social support were significant predictors of online gambling behaviour. It was therefore recommended that checks should be put in place that assist pathological gamblers to have better orientation on the need to be cautious when gambling, and also ensure that they are linked with their family members.