(PS1-19) Longitudinal Trajectories of Problem Gambling Symptoms and Alcohol Related Problems in a U.S. National Sample

Abstract Text: Access to gambling in the U.S. has rapidly expanded over the past fifteen years, with exponential increases in access since the legalization of sports wagering in 2018. Gambling related problems and symptoms of gambling disorder are an obvious concern arising from said increases in access. However, recent research has highlighted that gambling is also likely linked to a number of other concerning psychiatric comorbidities and substance use disorders. In particular, there is a growing body of evidence strongly suggesting that problem gambling symptoms are especially comorbid with symptoms of alcohol use disorder, bearing implications for both public health and behavioral health researchers. Consistent with the 2025 ABCT convention theme of examining research at the interplay of public health and behavioral health, the present work seeks to examine how gambling disorder symptoms and alcohol use disorder symptoms correspond to each other in the American populace over a three year period. Beginning with a census-matched sample of American adults (N = 4,363) recruited via YouGov America, participants were followed for three years, completing surveys at six months, twelve months, eighteen months, 24 months, and 36 months. Symptoms of gambling disorder were measured via the Problem Gambling Severity Index, and symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder were assessed using the NIDA-ASSIST-2. Data were analyzed using parallel process growth curve models. Results indicated that, in the general public, the trajectories of PGSI (slope = -0.135, p < .001) and NIDA-ASSIST-2 Alcohol scores (slope = -0.035, p < .001) were downward, showing a small but significant decrease in both domains over time. However, the slopes of both scores were extremely positively correlated (r = .806, p < .001), indicating that these indicators of problems are clearly linked and that increases or decreases in either would likely correspond to the same in the other. The findings underscore the need for integrated approaches in public and behavioral health interventions, targeting both gambling and Alcohol Use Disorder to mitigate the impact of these issues that appear to be interrelated.