In the year 2000, a cohort of 1,398 Pacific infants, born in a South Auckland hospital, was recruited into the Pacific Islands Families (PIF) study. In this study, the PIF cohort, aged
22 years, was surveyed about their gambling behaviours. The researchers had previously surveyed the youth about their gambling behaviours when they were aged 9, 14 and 17 years. This means that the researhers can examine gambling behaviour data across time (called longitudinal analysis), which is not possible with most research that only collects data at one point in time (a cross-sectional study).

The study aims were to:
1) Assess gambling participation, problematic gambling and gambling-related harms among Pacific peoples who had recently become adults, with legal access2 to all
gambling activities;
2) Identify gender and ethnic differences, and assess co-existence with mental health, and cultural identity and engagement;
3) Assess help-seeking behaviours;
4) Examine changes in gambling behaviours and risky gambling over time, from age 14 years to 22 years, where possible;
5) Identify possible risk and protective factors for gambling and problematic gambling using data collected when the participants were younger;
6) Identify gambling behaviours of parents and negative effects. (From the Background). Record #9041