Leisure, lifestyle, and lifecycle project (LLLP): A longitudinal study of gambling in Alberta [Canada]

In addition to gambling-specific data, the LLLP survey contains a number of general data variables, including: general/physical health; psychological factors (personality and temperament, psychopathology, coping strategies); comorbid factors (ADHD, eating disorders, substance use disorders); cultural factors (religiosity) and; social factors (social support/networks, non-gambling activity participation). A sample of 1,808 participants was recruited from four diverse regions of Alberta: Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, and Grand Prairie.

Participants were recruited primarily by random digit dialing, and five critical age ranges were targeted (13-15, 18-20, 23-25, and 63-65 year-olds) in order to assess problem gambling development throughout the lifespan. There are two separate LLLP datasets: one for adolescents (n=436) and another for adults (n=1,372). Data were collected over four waves, with a retention rate of 71.8% for adolescents and 76.2% for adults.

A subsequent wave, combining adolescent and adult participants, was undertaken in 2013-2014. Additional information on sampling, retention, study variables, and survey questionnaires can be located in the LLLP User Manual.