Gambling advertising and gambling behavior in Spanish adolescents and young adults. / Publicidad de apuestas y conducta de juego en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes españoles.

The profits obtained by the gambling industry in Spain represent almost one point of GDP and the proportion of minors who have gambled has reached a quarter. This situation occurs despite the law regulating gambling, which included among its objectives the prevention of addictive behaviors, as well as the protection of minors and other vulnerable groups. Recently, an additional regulation was approved to control gambling advertising. Bearing in mind the new regulatory context, we analyze the relationship between advertising and gambling in adolescents and young adults, studying especially young people who have already gambled and minors. We conducted an empirical investigation with a sample of 2,181 adolescents and young adults who filled out a questionnaire on gambling and advertising. We found that the variables associated with advertising are significantly related to gambling behavior and that, in addition, this correlation occurs with greater magnitude in men. We obtained higher scores in advertising influence among those subjects who have ever gambled compared to those who have not, highlighting the importance of discouraging the arrival of new gamblers. Regarding minors, we found significant differences in the different variables of advertising influence compared to young adults. These findings point to the need to evaluate this influence considering the new habits and interests of minors today.

Los beneficios obtenidos por la industria del juego de apuestas en España representan casi un punto del PIB y el porcentaje de menores de edad que han debutado en el juego alcanza la cuarta parte. Esta situación se produce pese a la ley de regulación del juego que incluye entre sus objetivos la prevención de conductas adictivas, así como la protección de menores y otros grupos vulnerables. Recientemente se ha aprobado un reglamento que regula la publicidad sobre apuestas. Teniendo presente el nuevo contexto normativo, analizamos la relación entre publicidad y apuestas en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes, estudiando la vulnerabilidad de jóvenes que ya han debutado en el juego y menores de edad. Realizamos una investigación empírica con una muestra de 2.181 adolescentes y adultos jóvenes que rellenaron un cuestionario sobre juego y publicidad. Encontramos que las variables asociadas a la publicidad se relacionan significativamente con la conducta de juego y que, además, esta correlación se da con mayor magnitud en hombres. Obtenemos mayores puntuaciones en influencia publicitaria entre aquellos sujetos que han jugado alguna vez frente a los que no, concluyendo la importancia de frenar el debut de nuevos jugadores. En cuanto a los menores, encontramos diferencias significativas en influencia publicitaria frente a los mayores. Estos hallazgos señalan la necesidad de evaluar la influencia teniendo en cuenta los nuevos hábitos e intereses de los menores en la actualidad.

Cyberbullying: Common Predictors to Cyber-Victimisation and Bystanding.

Cyberbullying has increased worryingly in the last decade, becoming a mental health problem in adolescence. Research usually focuses on cyber-bullies or cyber-victims, overlooking that these roles may overlap (e.g., cyber-victim-bystander). AIM: To identify possible common predictors to cyber-victimisation and bystanding. SAMPLE: The study sample consisted in 560 students, 12-15 years old, 47.5% female. METHOD: Canonical correlation, examining linear relationship between a group of X variables, and a group of Y variables. MAIN RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Two canonical varieties were built (Cor (U1,V1) = 0.442; Cor (U2,V2) = 0.270). Minors with high scores in cyber-victimisation (r = -0.888) and bystanding (r = -0.902) would have more favourable attitude towards violence, greater number of contacts on social networks/messaging and greater attention to emotions. The second variety discriminates minors with high cyber-victimisation score, but low observation and would relate to low attitudes towards violence and contacts on social networks/messaging, together with high scores in parental monitoring. Results suggest the possible overlapping of roles and how cyber-victimisation and bystanding share predictive factors.

Adaptación española de la Escala de Impacto de la Publicidad de Apuestas en adolescentes / Spanish adaptation of the Gambling Advertising Impact Scale for adolescents

La presión mediática de publicidad de apuestas ha alcanzado niveles preocupantes. Constituye un riesgo para la salud mental de los jóvenes y adolescentes al promover una actitud favorable hacia las apuestas, una mayor frecuencia de juego y una percepción de mayor accesibilidad. En la actualidad no se dispone de un instrumento capaz de evaluar el impacto de la publicidad de apuestas.ObjetivoAdaptar y validar la Escala de Impacto de Publicidad de Apuestas (IGAS, Impact of Gambling Advertising Scale).DiseñoInvestigación instrumental. La escala IGAS fue traducida del inglés garantizando su equivalencia lingüística, conceptual y métrica. A continuación, se comprobaron las propiedades psicométricas.EmplazamientoComunidad Valenciana (España).Participantes1.724 adolescentes con una media de 16,52 años (DT = 0,759).Intervención Se administró un cuestionario autoaplicado en formato de papel en una única medida.Principales medidasImpacto de la publicidad, severidad e intención de apostar, y accesibilidad.ResultadosLa consistencia interna y la fiabilidad dos mitades fueron buenas, α de Cronbach = 0,782 y 0,70, respectivamente. El análisis factorial confirmatorio concluyó que la versión española reproduce la original de tres dimensiones. Los análisis de la validez convergente mostraron relaciones directas y significativas con diferentes aspectos de la conducta de juego, y otros factores predictores.ConclusiónLa versión adaptada de la IGAS es una medida fiable y válida para la evaluación del impacto de la publicidad en adolescentes. La escala es un instrumento útil para el diagnóstico del nivel de riesgo y la evaluación de intervenciones preventivas.

Media pressure from gambling advertising has reached worrying levels. It constitutes a risk to the mental health of young people and adolescents by promoting a favourable attitude towards gambling, a higher frequency of gambling and a perception of greater accessibility. Currently, there is no instrument available to assess the impact of gambling advertising.ObjectiveThe present study aims to adapt and validate the Impact of Gambling Advertising Scale (IGAS).DesignThe IGAS scale was translated from English ensuring its linguistic, conceptual and metric equivalence. The psychometric properties were then tested.SiteComunidad Valenciana (España).Participants1724 adolescents with a mean age of 16.52 years (SD=.759).InterventionSelf-administered, paper-based questionnaire in a single measure.Main measurementsAdvertising impact, and gambling intention, severity and availability.ResultsInternal consistency and two-half reliability were good, Cronbach's α=.782 and α=.70, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis concluded that the Spanish version replicates the original three-dimensional version. Convergent validity analyses showed direct and significant relationships with different aspects of gambling behaviour, and other predictors.ConclusionThe adapted version of the IGAS is a reliable and valid measure for the assessment of the impact of advertising on adolescents. The scale is a useful instrument for the diagnosis of risk level and the evaluation of preventive interventions.

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of a school-based alcohol and cannabis prevention programme among adolescents.] / Evaluación de la eficacia de un programa de prevención escolar del consumo de alcohol y cannabis entre adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: Alcohol and cannabis consumption in young people aged 14 to 18 years show high and stable prevalence and incidence. The Instituto de Adicciones de Madrid Salud (IAMS) within its prevention strategy aimed at adolescents and young people in Madrid, implements an universal 3-sessions school-based prevention program. To evaluate the effectiveness of a program aimed at alcohol and cannabis from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB, Ajzen, 1991), we analysed the changes in consumption and intention of consumption, attitudes and subjective norm as well as in the risk perception. METHODS: Quasi-experimental design. Participants: Over 1,529 students belonging to 12 high schools in Madrid (M=15.36 years, DT=1.13, range: 13-18, 51.8% boys) Experimental group: N=790, intervention period October-December 2018. Control group: N=469. The Student's t test was used for the repeated means test. When the difference between the means was significant, the effect size was calculated using Cohen's d index. RESULTS: Alcohol: consumption (t=2.08, p<0.05, d=0.07), intention (t=3.01, p<0.01, d=0.12), risk perception (t=-502, p<0.001, d=0.20), attitudes (t=5.77, p<0.001, d=0.21), subjective norm (t=2.17, p<0.05, d=0.08). Cannabis: intention (t=2.98, p<0.01, d=0.11), risk perception (t=-3.99, p<0.001, d=0.14), attitudes (t=6.19, p<0.001, d=0.23). CONCLUSIONS: Students who received the intervention reduced the favourable attitudes and intention of alcohol and cannabis consumption and alcohol consumption, and increased the risk perception on both substances, with significant differences, but low effect sizes. Related to control group and regarding cannabis there were no significant differences. The program has been shown to be potentially effective, but would benefit from a review for fit to its theoretical framework.

OBJETIVO: El consumo de alcohol y cannabis entre jóvenes de 14 a 18 años muestra alta y mantenida prevalencia e incidencia. El Instituto de Adicciones de Madrid Salud (IAMS) dentro de su estrategia de prevención dirigida a adolescentes, desarrolla un programa de prevención universal de tres sesiones en ámbito educativo. Con el fin de evaluar la eficacia de dicho programa dirigido al consumo de alcohol y cannabis desde la Teoría de la Acción Planeada (TAP, Ajzen, 1991), se analizaron los cambios en el consumo e intención de consumo, actitudes y norma subjetiva, así como en la percepción de riesgo. METODOS: Diseño cuasi-experimental pretest-postest con grupo control equiparado. Participantes: 1.529 estudiantes distribuidos en 12 centros educativos de Madrid, (M=15,36 años, DT=1,13; rango: 13-18; 51,8% chicos). Grupo experimental: N=790 recibió la intervención en octubre-diciembre de 2018. Grupo control: N=469. Para el contraste de medias repetidas se utilizó el test t de Student. Cuando la diferencia entre las medias fue significativa, se calculó el tamaño del efecto mediante el índice d de Cohen. RESULTADOS: Alcohol: consumo (t=2,08, p<0,05, d=0,07), intención (t=3,01, p<0,01, d=0,12), percepción de riesgo (t=-502, p<0,001, d=0,20), actitudes (t=5,77, p<0,001, d=0,21), norma subjetiva (t=2,17, p<0,05, d=0,08). Cannabis: intención (t=2,98, p<0,01, d=0,11), percepción de riesgo (t=-3,99, p<0,001, d=0,14), actitudes (t=6,19, p<0,001, d=0,23). CONCLUSIONES: Los adolescentes que recibieron la intervención, redujeron las actitudes favorables e intención de consumo de alcohol y cannabis y el consumo de alcohol, y aumentaron la percepción de riesgo sobre ambas sustancias, con diferencias significativas, pero tamaños de efecto bajos. En relación al grupo control y respecto a cannabis no se encuentran diferencias significativas. El programa ha mostrado ser potencialmente eficaz, pero se beneficiaría de una revisión para un mejor ajuste a su marco teórico.

Evaluación de la eficacia de un programa de prevención escolar del consumo de alcohol y cannabis entre adolescentes / Evaluation of the effectiveness of a school-based alcohol and cannabis prevention programme among adolescents

Fundamentos: El consumo de alcohol y cannabis entre jóvenes de 14 a 18 años muestra alta y mantenida prevalencia e incidencia. El Instituto de Adicciones de MadridSalud (IAMS) dentro de su estrategia de prevención dirigida a adolescentes, desarrolla un programa de prevenciónuniversal de tres sesiones en ámbito educativo. Con el finde evaluar la eficacia de dicho programa dirigido al consumo de alcohol y cannabis desde la Teoría de la AcciónPlaneada (TAP, Ajzen, 1991), se analizaron los cambios enel consumo e intención de consumo, actitudes y norma subjetiva, así como en la percepción de riesgo. Métodos: Diseño cuasi-experimental pretest-postestcon grupo control equiparado. Participantes: 1.529 estudiantes distribuidos en 12 centros educativos de Madrid,(M=15,36 años, DT=1,13; rango: 13-18; 51,8% chicos).Grupo experimental: N=790 recibió la intervención enoctubre-diciembre de 2018. Grupo control: N=469. Parael contraste de medias repetidas se utilizó el test t deStudent. Cuando la diferencia entre las medias fue significativa, se calculó el tamaño del efecto mediante el índiced de Cohen. Resultados: Alcohol: consumo (t=2,08, p<0,05,d=0,07), intención (t=3,01, p<0,01, d=0,12), percepciónde riesgo (t=-502, p<0,001, d=0,20), actitudes (t=5,77,p<0,001, d=0,21), norma subjetiva (t=2,17, p<0,05,d=0,08). Cannabis: intención (t=2,98, p<0,01, d=0,11),percepción de riesgo (t=-3,99, p<0,001, d=0,14), actitudes (t=6,19, p<0,001, d=0,23). Conclusiones: Los adolescentes que recibieron laintervención, redujeron las actitudes favorables e intención de consumo de alcohol y cannabis y el consumo dealcohol, y aumentaron la percepción de riesgo sobre ambas sustancias, con diferencias significativas, pero tamaños de efecto bajos. (AU)

Background: Alcohol and cannabis consumption inyoung people aged 14 to 18 years show high and stableprevalence and incidence. The Instituto de Adicciones deMadrid Salud (IAMS) within its prevention strategy aimedat adolescents and young people in Madrid, implements anuniversal 3-sessions school-based prevention program. Toevaluate the effectiveness of a program aimed at alcoholand cannabis from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB,Ajzen, 1991), we analysed the changes in consumption andintention of consumption, attitudes and subjective norm aswell as in the risk perception.Methods: Quasi-experimental design. Participants:Over 1,529 students belonging to 12 high schools inMadrid (M=15.36 years, DT=1.13, range: 13-18, 51.8%boys) Experimental group: N=790, intervention periodOctober-December 2018. Control group: N=469. TheStudent’s t test was used for the repeated means test. Whenthe difference between the means was significant, the effectsize was calculated using Cohen’s d index.Results: Alcohol: consumption (t=2.08, p<0.05,d=0.07), intention (t=3.01, p<0.01, d=0.12), risk perception (t=-502, p<0.001, d=0.20), attitudes (t=5.77, p<0.001,d=0.21), subjective norm (t=2.17, p<0.05, d=0.08).Cannabis: intention (t=2.98, p<0.01, d=0.11), risk perception (t=-3.99, p<0.001, d=0.14), attitudes (t=6.19, p<0.001,d=0.23).Conclusions: Students who received the interventionreduced the favourable attitudes and intention of alcoholand cannabis consumption and alcohol consumption, andincreased the risk perception on both substances, with significant differences, but low effect sizes. Related to controlgroup and regarding cannabis there were no significant differences. The program has been shown to be potentiallyeffective, but would benefit from a review for fit to its theoretical framework.(AU)

[Spanish adaptation of the Gambling Advertising Impact Scale for adolescents]. / Adaptación española de la Escala de Impacto de la Publicidad de Apuestas en adolescentes.

Media pressure from gambling advertising has reached worrying levels. It constitutes a risk to the mental health of young people and adolescents by promoting a favourable attitude towards gambling, a higher frequency of gambling and a perception of greater accessibility. Currently, there is no instrument available to assess the impact of gambling advertising. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to adapt and validate the Impact of Gambling Advertising Scale (IGAS). DESIGN: The IGAS scale was translated from English ensuring its linguistic, conceptual and metric equivalence. The psychometric properties were then tested. SITE: Comunidad Valenciana (España). PARTICIPANTS: 1724 adolescents with a mean age of 16.52 years (SD=.759). INTERVENTION: Self-administered, paper-based questionnaire in a single measure. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Advertising impact, and gambling intention, severity and availability. RESULTS: Internal consistency and two-half reliability were good, Cronbach's α=.782 and α=.70, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis concluded that the Spanish version replicates the original three-dimensional version. Convergent validity analyses showed direct and significant relationships with different aspects of gambling behaviour, and other predictors. CONCLUSION: The adapted version of the IGAS is a reliable and valid measure for the assessment of the impact of advertising on adolescents. The scale is a useful instrument for the diagnosis of risk level and the evaluation of preventive interventions.

A Longitudinal Analysis of Gambling Predictors among Adolescents.

Although gambling is forbidden for minors, the prevalence of gambling among adolescents is increasing. In order to improve preventive interventions, more evidence on predictors of gambling onset is needed. A longitudinal study was proposed to (1) establish the prevalence of gambling; (2) identify factors associated with gambling behavior the following year; and (3) adjust a model to predict gambling behavior. A cohort of 1074 students (13-18 years old) was followed for 12 months. The prevalence of gambling reached 42.0% in the second measure. Boys gambled 2.7 times more than girls, and the highest percentages of gambling onset showed up between 13 and 14 years old. Gambling onset and maintenance was associated with gender, age, sensation-seeking, risk perception, self-efficacy for not gambling, parents' attitude towards gambling, group pressure (friends), subjective norm, exposure to advertising, accessibility, normative perception, gambling in T1 and parents gambling behavior. Gender, gambling in T1 and risk perception were significant in all three logistic adjusted regression models, with the fourth variable being sensation seeking, peer pressure (friends) and accessibility, respectively. It is suggested that universal prevention should be aimed preferably at children under 15 years old and to alert regulators and public administrations to the directly proportional relationship between accessibility and gambling onset.

Revisión de estudios de la Escala de Ansiedad y Depresión Hospitalaria (HAD) en muestras españolas / Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) review in Spanish Samples

Introducción: La escala de Ansiedad y Depresión Hospitalaria (HADS-Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Zigmond y Snaith, 1983) se ha convertido en un popular instrumento clínico diseñado para evaluar ansiedad y depresión, encontrándose evidencias de que aplicado a diversas poblaciones parece tener tan buenas propiedades de detección cómo otros instrumentos. Numerosos trabajos en muestra española comprueban sus propiedades psicométricas y puntos de corte. Nuestro objetivo es unificar los resultados de estudios realizados en muestras españolas para concretar directrices que orienten en la aplicabilidad e interpretación de sus puntuaciones. Método: Revisión bibliográfica. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 15 artículos, a) se confirma que las propiedades psicométricas del HAD en diferentes muestras son óptimas, b) se presenta cierta variabilidad de puntos de corte para cada población y c) determinados ítems muestran débil carga factorial e ítem-test. Discusión: se plantea qué ítems deben reconsiderarse para un HAD abreviado. Se sugiere valorar la escala total de distrés

Introduction: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS, Zigmond and Snaith, 1983) has become a popular clinical instrument designed to assess anxiety and depression. Evidence of HADS’ good screening properties applied to several samples has been found. HADS seems to be as good screening properties as other tools. Different studies in Spanish sample tested its psychometric properties, including also their cut-offs points, specificity and sensitivity. Our aim is to unify the results of studies in Spanish population specifying guidelines regarding their applicability and interpretation of their cut-off points. Material and method: bibliographic review. Results: 15 articles were selected, a) HADS confirms its optimal psychometric properties in different groups, b) HADS shows some variability in proposed cut-off points for different groups, c) A number of items shown weak factor loading and item-test. Discussion: These items should be reconsidered for new proposals of a shortened final scale. We suggest attending at distress total scale

Prevención familiar del consumo de drogas en Europa: una revisión crítica de los programas contenidos en EDDRA / Family prevention of drug use in Europe: a critical review of EDDRA programs

En la adolescencia temprana, la familia es uno de los principales agentes de riesgo/protección del inicio del consumo de drogas. Su influencia en la adquisición de hábitos de salud le convierte en diana preferente de intervenciones preventivas. El objetivo es realizar un análisis comparado de los programas de prevención familiar europeos. Se analizaron 85 programas de prevención familiar contenidos en la base de datos EDDRA (Exchange on Drug Demand Reduction Action), perteneciente al Observatorio Europeo de las Drogas y Toxicomanías. Fueron analizados todos los programas incluidos en la base, que abarca el periodo 1998-2011. El 53% de los programas proceden de sólo 4 países (España, Alemania, Portugal e Irlanda). El 89% son inespecíficos o de promoción de la salud. Proporcionar información sobre drogas es el principal objetivo que persiguen los programas. Algo más de la mitad de los programas (59.7%) informan haber realizado evaluación de resultados. El 70.59% de los programas no plantea entre sus objetivos ninguno de los factores de riesgo propuestos en las principales teorías. A pesar del sólido marco teórico y de la evidencia empírica sobre los factores de riesgo familiares, los programas de prevención presentan una gran dispersión en sus objetivos, técnicas y componentes. El grado de adecuación a las teorías es muy bajo y la evaluación sigue siendo la asignatura pendiente. Se plantean críticas sobre el funcionamiento de la base EDDRA (AU)

In early adolescence, family is one of the main risk/protection agent for drug misuse. Its influence on health habits acquisition makes family a key target for prevention programs. The aim is to conduct a comparative analysis of European family prevention programs. For this purpose, 85 programs were reviewed. Programs were retrieved from EMCDDA database EDDRA (Exchange on Drug Demand Reduction Actions). No time period was delimited; hence time span was 1998-2011. 53% of all programs came from 4 countries (Ireland, Germany, Portugal and Spain). 89% were unspecific drug prevention or health promotion programs. Providing information about drugs is the main objective pursued by the majority of the programs. Over half the programs (59.7%) report having undergone an outcome evaluation process. Regarding the program objectives, 70.59% do not address any of the risk factors proposed by the main theories in international literature. Despite the solid theoretical framework that supports coherent evidence about family risk factors, prevention programs’ objectives and components have a low theoretical compliance rate and the level of evaluation continues to be a challenge. Some aspects of the EDDRA functioning are reviewed (AU)