Prevention of problem gambling in Chinese adolescents: relevance of problem gambling assessment and positive youth development frameworks

Abstract

Although research findings show that adolescent gambling behavior is a growing problem, there are not many theory-driven prevention programs in the Chinese context. In this paper, two approaches of developing Chinese adolescent prevention program are described. In the first approach, it is argued that related programs should be developed with reference to the risk factors of problem gambling based on problem gambling assessment tools and frameworks. The modified Chinese G-MAP is used as an example to illustrate this approach. In the second approach, it is argued that programs incorporating positive youth development constructs would help adolescents develop positive qualities which would prevent them from developing problem gambling. The Project P.A.T.H.S. is given as an example. The issues related to the application of positive youth development constructs to adolescent problem gambling prevention are discussed.