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Full citation
Scandroglio, F., Ferrazzi, G., Giacobazzi, A., Vinci, V., Marchi, M., Galeazzi, G. M., et al. (2023). Prevalence and possible predictors of gambling disorder in a sample of students in the healthcare professions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(1), 452. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010452
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Region & Target Population
- Region: Italy
- Target population: Healthcare-profession university students (mean age 22.17, SD =4.89).
Study Design
Cross-sectional study.
Sample Characteristics (with year collected)
- N = 317 students.
- Data collected in 2022.
- Age: large majority in the 18–24 range.
Measures Used
- SOGS (South Oaks Gambling Screen).
- Gambling type and frequency logs.
- Academic performance variables.
Research Question
What proportion of Italian emerging-adult university students meet criteria for problem or pathological gambling?
Key Findings
- 8.7% problem gamblers.
- 1.5% pathological gamblers.
- Most common activities: lottery, scratch cards, bingo.
- Male gender and academic delays predicted problem gambling.
Study Conclusion
Despite being a health-profession student population, typically considered lower-risk, still show meaningful levels of gambling harm. With over 10% meeting problem/pathological criteria, the findings suggest that gambling risk among young adults cuts across academic discipline and professional aspirations. Italy’s widespread lottery and betting products make gambling easy to access, even for students with heavy academic workloads. This reinforces that emerging adulthood is a cross-cultural vulnerability period, regardless of educational background.
