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Full citation
Azevedo, N. P., Sousa, L., & Santos, P. (2023). Gambling disorder among Porto’s university students. Healthcare, 11(18), 2527. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11182527
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Region & Target Population
- Region: Portugal
- Target population: University students (mean age 22.4, SD = 6.2 → majority 18–24).
Study Design
Cross-sectional online survey.
Sample Characteristics (with year collected)
- N = 1,074 university students.
- Data collected between 2021–2022.
- Age: 70% aged 18–24.
Measures Used
- SOGS-PV (Portuguese Version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen).
- Gambling types and expenditure.
- Parental gambling involvement.
Research Question
What is the prevalence of gambling disorder among emerging-adult students in Portugal, and which demographic factors predict higher severity?
Key Findings
- 66.4% had engaged in some gambling activity.
- 19.7% were classified as having a gambling disorder (16.6% probable pathological gamblers and 3.1% problem gamblers).
- Maternal gambling, male gender, and high expenditure predicted harm.
Study Conclusion
This study shows high levels of gambling disorder in Portuguese university students, far exceeding prevalence estimates from national adult samples. Emerging adults are particularly vulnerable, especially males and those exposed to parental gambling. The high rates reflect the convergence of online gambling access, the popularity of sports betting, and shifting cultural norms around gambling in Portugal. These findings demonstrate that even in high-income European countries, university-aged individuals can experience substantial clinical-level harm, reinforcing emerging adulthood as a high-risk developmental period.
