The Gambling Habits of University Students in Aragon, Spain

A Cross-Sectional Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15460873
AuthorsYolanda López del Hoyo (0000-0002-1690-4130, Universidad de Zaragoza), Alicia Monreal‐Bartolomé (0000-0003-2088-2007, Red de Investigación en Actividades Preventivas y Promoción de la Salud), Pablo Aisa (Universidad de Zaragoza), Adrián Pérez‐Aranda (0000-0002-1602-3413, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona, corresponding author), Adrián Pérez-Aranda (Aragon Institute for Health Research, IIS Aragon, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain), Carlos López Plana (Universidad de Zaragoza), Carlos Plana (Universidad de Zaragoza), José Antonio Poblador (Universidad de Zaragoza), Jaime Casterad (Universidad de Zaragoza), Javier Garcı́a-Campayo (0000-0002-3797-4218, Universidad de Zaragoza), Jesús Montero‐Marín (0000-0001-5677-1662, Warneford Hospital)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue8
Pages4553-4553
Publication date2022-04-09
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19084553
PMID35457421
OpenAlexW4223610263
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited29

Gambling has become a routine form of entertainment for many young people. The aim of this study was to describe the gambling behavior that university students are developing in Aragon, Spain, and to analyze whether these habits are more common among students of sports science, on the assumption that they are more likely to have a higher exposure to betting company marketing. A cross-sectional design was applied, with data collected on advertising exposure, gambling habits and experiences, and opinions on the impact of gambling and its regulation from 516 undergraduate students from the University of Zaragoza. The online survey included ad hoc questions and the "Pathological Gambling Short Questionnaire" to screen for potential gambling disorders. Almost half of the sample had bet money at least once in their life (48.1%), and 2.4% screened positive for consideration of a possible diagnosis of pathological gambling. Betting shops (44.2%) were the most common gambling option, and students of sports science showed a higher prevalence of pathological gambling and had greater tendencies to make bets. Gambling is perceived as a normal leisure activity by a significant part of university students. The development of transversal strategies is required to raise awareness towards the potential dangers of gambling

Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Geography · Sociology · Demography · Gambling Behavior and Treatments · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology

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