Online Gambling and Its Implication on the Mental Health of Undergraduates in Ekiti State University

Abstract

Behavioural addiction is seen as a menace among the youth in Nigeria, in which online gambling is taking the lead. The study delves into the intricate relationship between online gambling behaviour and the mental health outcomes among undergraduate students at Ekiti State University. This research employed survey method with a sample size of 541 participants involving male and female, selected through Snowball sampling techniques using Google Forms, the study utilized standardized questionnaires such as Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), to assess online gambling, while mental health was evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-28. The result, using Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, found a significant positive correlation between online gambling and four dimensions of mental health which are somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression (p < .01). The respondents were also categorized into four by their levels of gambling behaviour, the ANOVA result showed that the higher the level of gambling, the higher the level of distress in all the dimensions of mental health. The implication is that as gambling behaviour escalates, students exhibit higher mean scores in these dimensions, which illustrate a concerned trend. The study further revealed compelling evidence that a significant proportion of the students actively participate in online gambling, with over 55% indicating a high level of involvement, while only 17.6% reported no involvement. These findings align with previous research, emphasizing the significance of addressing detrimental effects of online gambling on mental health. This calls for proactive interventions and support systems to safeguard the well-being of undergraduate students.