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- A study of Mississippi college students showed that gambling problems were closely related to mental health concerns. Researchers said more support is needed for people suffering from gambling problems.
A study of 1,800 students across eight public universities in Mississippi found that gambling problems were associated with mental health concerns.
Researchers say the findings point to a need for more dedicated gambling-related support, especially for college-age adults.
The research, published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, adds to a growing body of evidence around gambling harm in young adults. It also comes as researchers raise concerns about limited support resources in Mississippi and broader access issues affecting younger users.
Study found 7% showed symptoms of problem gambling
According to the study, one-quarter of surveyed students had engaged in gambling, and 7% exhibited symptoms of problem gambling.
Nicholas McAfee, director of the William Magee Center for AOD and wellness education at the University of Mississippi and the study’s lead author, said “almost every student in the sample reported some level of mental health concern.”
McAfee said the research was conducted in 2021.
The findings show a connection between gambling problems and mental health concerns among college students, reinforcing concerns about how gambling harm can intersect with student wellness.
Researchers cite gaps in dedicated gambling support
The iGamingToday story highlights what researchers described as a lack of dedicated gambling resources in Mississippi.
Rory Pfund, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, said the state has “little to no dedicated resources for gambling” and argued that policymakers should create a funding mechanism for support.
Pfund also said help “should not be limited to college campuses and should extend beyond them as well,” pointing to a need for broader services for young adults and other affected groups.
McAfee additionally said increased access to prediction markets may affect individuals under 21, a point that broadens the discussion beyond traditional campus gambling concerns.
The study adds fresh support to calls for more responsible gambling, prevention, screening, and treatment resources aimed at younger adults, while raising new questions about whether current support systems are keeping pace with newer forms of access to gambling-like products.
Based on reporting by Carla Calderon for iGamingToday.
