Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore a specific list of irrational beliefs that predict adolescence gambling problems. In addition, we tried to examine whether depression and anxiety promote the effects of irrational beliefs. To that end, we collected data from 659 adolescents(13-18 ages) registered On-line research company who answered that they had experienced five types of illegal gambling more than once. The list of irrational gambling beliefs used in this study was developed by referring to the qualitative research data on the development process of the youth gambling problem conducted by Kim et al.(2018) and by referring to the Irrational gambling beliefs developed for adults. The analysis identified seven irrational gambling beliefs items consisting of a single-factor structure. Each irrational gambling belief increased the frequency of illegal gambling behavior and gambling problem regardless of gender, age, and academic level. As a result of examining the moderating effects of depression and anxiety in the relationship between irrational gambling beliefs and gambling problems, it was found that the higher the level of depression or anxiety, the greater the effect that irrational gambling beliefs increase the gambling problem level appear. Finally, the results of this study were discussed in terms of youth gambling prevention and counseling.