Neuroscience 2003 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 536.17 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Is speeding a form of gambling behavior? |
| Authors: |
Shapira, N. A.*1
; Frost-Pineda, K.1
; Lazoritz, M.1
; Ferguson, M. A.3
; Yang, M. C. K.4
; Gold, M. S.1,2
1Psychiatry, Univ. Florida, Gainesville, FL 2Neurosci., Univ. Florida, Gainesville, FL 3Journalism and Communications, Univ. Florida, Gainesville, FL 4Statistics, Univ. Florida, Gainesville, FL |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions - Psychiatric Disorders -- Other |
| Session: |
536. Cognitive Deficits, ADHD & Impulsivity Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Monday, November 10, 2003 1:00 PM-2:00 PM |
| Location: | Morial Convention Center - Hall F-I, Board # VV53 |
| Keywords: |
Speeding is a major contributor to motor vehicle deaths, especially among younger drivers. While impulsivity has been linked to the neurobiology of gambling, how fast gamblers drive over the posted speed limits (“speeding”) has not been specifically evaluated. In our clinical experience, pathological gambling patients often describe speeding as embodying a sense of winning (i.e. beating time, boredom, police, and other cars as if on a raceway). We have completed the first statewide survey of gambling and problem gambling in Florida adolescents ages 13 to 17 (n=1,051). This phone survey asked respondents about gambling activities, demographic questions, and speeding. Self-reported speeding and intent to speed have been shown to correlate with actual driving speed. A simple correlation analysis (ages 15 to 17) revealed that speeding as measured by miles per hour (mph) self-reported over the speed limit, is significantly related with gambling behavior as well as with alcohol, tranquilizers, marijuana, cocaine, and stimulants/amphetamine usage. All the p-values were less than 0.001. When all the factors were put together in a linear prediction equation, four factors have the greatest influence. They are: past year gambling tendency (1.54mph/category increase with 0 = nongambler; 1 = low-risk gambler; 2 = at-risk gambler; and 3 = problem/pathological gambler), p<0.0004); age (1.5mph/1yr increase, p=0.003); trouble with the police due to drinking (2.67mph/times reported trouble, p=0.03) and tranquilizer usage (0.05mph/day of usage, p<0.001). Interestingly, gender had no significant effect on speeding. Our data indicate a relationship between speeding, gambling and other risk-taking/illegal behaviors in adolescents and support the hypothesis that speeding may be a form of gambling behavior in this age group.
Supported by The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2003 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2003. Online.
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