Adolescents, Online Gambling, Substance Use and Problematic Internet Use

Abstract

Recent research has warned of the growing participation of minors in online gambling, an illegal behaviour with an enormous addictive potential. The present study was proposed with a double objective: (1) having updated data about online gambling among adolescents and, (2) analysing its relationship with substance use and Problematic Internet Use [PIU]. For this purpose, a sample of 3188 Spanish adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age (Mean=14.44; SD=1.67) was gathered, to whom was applied an ad hoc questionnaire with items regarding their internet use and substance consumption, as well as specific screening instruments (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test -AUDIT-, Cannabis Abuse Screening Test -CAST-, the Substance Use and Abuse subscale of the Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers -POSITuas-, and the Problematic Internet Use Scale for Adolescents-PIUSa-). The results showed that 8.4% of the sample had participated in online gambling during the prior year. It was also found that those who gambled on the Internet had higher rates of PIU and different online risky behaviours, as well as higher rates of substance consumption. Therefore, these are not isolated problems, making it necessary to employ an integral preventive approach to address them.