Gambling addiction is increasing and is becoming a public health concern due to the rise of gambling-related harms affecting the youth. Previous studies suggest a strong link between problem gambling (PG) and substance use and psychosocial and familial factors. Our main objective was to analyze the association between PG and factors like sport, leisure-time activities, and risk-taking behaviors in adolescents. A survey on substance use and addictive behaviors was performed in 2019 on a representative sample of 2240 subjects (14–18 years) from the Southern Spain Region. Data variables like socio-demographic characteristics, sport, leisure and free time activities, family environment, PG (Lie-Bet Scale), compulsive internet use (CIUS Scale), and consumption of alcohol and cannabis were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Weighted PG prevalence was estimated in either sex, as well as the differences between various levels of PG using chi-square tests. Crude and adjusted weighted logistic regression models were used to identify predictors associated with PG. The prevalence of PG was associated with shopping frequency, compulsive internet use, cannabis use in the previous month, higher family economic status, and having a homemaker father which increased the likelihood of PG. On the contrary, cultural hobbies such as playing an instrument, painting, singing, and writing, and having a working mother were inversely associated with PG. Our results suggest that encouraging participation in creative activities along with supervised shopping and monitoring compulsive internet use and cannabis consumption may contribute some protection against adolescent PG.

Objetivo: El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar el valor explicativo de las estrategias de afrontamiento, habilidades sociales y habilidades propias, en el consumo de diferentes sustancias adictivas legales e ilegales. Método: Se administró un cuestionario anónimo, a una muestra de 314 jóvenes adultos, entre 18 y 30 años, desarrollado para medir la cantidad de sustancia consumida en una semana, las estrategias de afrontamiento, habilidades sociales y habilidades propias. Las variables de respuesta analizadas fueron el número de bebidas destiladas (whisky, vodka, etc..), número de bebidas fermentadas (cerveza, vino, etc...) y número de cigarrillos de cannabis y de tabaco. Resultados: Déficits en estrategias de afrontamiento como “Pensar en las consecuencias negativas” disminuye el consumo de bebidas fermentadas y de cannabis en un 24% y en un 40% respectivamente. La habilidad propia “Ser disciplinado” disminuye el consumo de bebidas destiladas, fermentadas y cannabis, en un 38%, 31% y 33% respectivamente. Déficits en habilidades sociales, como la dificultad para relacionarse con personas del sexo opuesto, influyen disminuyendo el consumo de bebidas destiladas (45%), de cannabis (70%) y aumentando el consumo de tabaco por cuatro. Conclusiones: Únicamente déficits en habilidades sociales influyen en el consumo de tabaco. Déficits en habilidades sociales y propias influyen en el consumo que los sujetos hacen de las bebidas destiladas y de cannabis y déficits en estrategias de afrontamiento son las que llevarán a un sujeto a consumir bebidas fermentadas. La modificación de todos éstos déficits puede permitir hacer programas de prevención más efectivos.

This study examines patterns of alcohol consumption among the Hispanic immigrant population in Valencia (Spain), and also whether the length of immigrants' residence in our country and perceived degree of discrimination have any influence on such patterns. A total of 610 Spanish-speaking immigrants (314 women, 296 men) over 15 years of age, from six Hispano-American countries were interviewed in 2006; 76.8% had consumed alcohol in the previous 12 months; 37.6% drink more alcohol in Spain than in their country of origin. This study shows the need to develop specific programs for the immigrant population, with special consideration for the young, males, and smokers. The study's limitations are noted.