Live Poster Session: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/98862306543
Connor Sutherland
Connor is a Junior Economics major at Wesleyan University, where he plays on the Men’s Varsity Ice Hockey team. When not in Middletown, Connecticut, Connor resides in Boston, Massachusetts.
Abstract: The co-occurrence of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and gambling is a significant public health concern, yet the factors that modulate this risk are not fully understood. This study examined the relationship between a clinical AUD diagnosis and lifetime gambling involvement, specifically testing if sex acts as a moderator of this association. Data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC; N=43,093) were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to test the primary effect of AUD on the odds of having ever gambled five or more times in a year (EG). AUD was a highly significant predictor of ever gambling. Critically, the interaction term between AUD and sex was also highly significant p < 0.001 The increased risk of gambling associated with an AUD diagnosis was found to be proportionally greater for females than for males. These findings underscore the need for sex-specific harm-reduction and treatment strategies, as women with AUD may represent a particularly vulnerable group for developing gambling behaviors.
QAC201_CSutherlan01_FinalProject_PDF