Gambling and video game addiction in the university setting: a descriptive study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29352/mill0229.44598Keywords:
gambling; video games; students; academic performance; technology addictionAbstract
Introduction: Gambling and video gaming may be linked to addictive behaviors with academic and psychosocial consequences in young populations.
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of money gambling and gaming-related activities among university students, assess sex differences and associations with grade point average.
Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with nursing students enrolled in the 2023-24 academic year at the University School of Nursing of Ávila - University of Salamanca. An online questionnaire based on ESTUDES/EDADES was administered, including Lie/Bet and DSM-5–based criteria. Descriptive and bivariate analyses (χ²/Fisher) were performed, and logistic regression models were fitted, reporting odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 161 valid questionnaires were obtained (response rate 80.9%). Past-year money gambling prevalence was 49.7%, higher in men. Online gambling was more frequent in men and land-based gambling in women. Risk of problem gambling was 5.6%. Overall, 42.2% reported involvement in video games/eSports/eSports spectating. Among players, higher frequencies of video game play and eSports viewing were linked to lower academic performance.
Conclusion: Gambling and gaming are common in university students, with clear sex differences and a limited proportion at risk of problem gambling. Multicenter and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm associations with academic performance, which will allow the results to be generalized.
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