INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Europe‘s gambling market, reshaping consumer behaviour, market structure, and regulatory priorities. Restrictions on land-based venues and the cancellation of major sporting events accelerated a shift to digital platforms, raising public health concerns.

METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of market-level quantitative data from the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) and H2 Gambling Capital to assess changes in the EU-27 and the United Kingdom between 2019 and 2029.

RESULTS: Land-based revenues fell sharply in 2020, while...

INTRODUCTION: This study explores the perspectives of Czech practitioners on sexuality education (SE) for upper primary school students (ISCED level 2). It focuses on the topics they consider relevant, including those currently underrepresented in school curricula as well as the approaches and methods they apply in practice. The framework of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is used as a lens for interpreting their experiences and practices.

METHODS: Fourteen practitioners participated in two semi-structured focus groups (n = 4 per group, 8 in total) and six individual interviews...

This multicentre randomised controlled study evaluated a 3-year intersectoral intervention designed to reduce alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use among adolescents in a tri-border region of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. The intervention brought together 23 institutions from education, community, and social sectors and involved 880 adolescents, with treatment and control groups randomly assigned. Students in the treatment group were actively involved in co-developing prevention activities, while both groups later participated in the implemented activities.

Key findings show that adolescents...

INTRODUCTION: Declining fertility and rising numbers of only children necessitate understanding their specific characteristics. The main objective of the present research study is to map the area of sibling constellations. It focuses on perfectionism and the Big Five personality traits.

METHODS: Online data were collected from 1,384 Slovak participants aged 15-74 (133 only children, 1,251 with siblings) using the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) and the Big Five Inventory (BFI 10). MannWhitney U tests compared groups, with effect sizes (AUC) calculated. Spearman’s...

ABSTRACT: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a plant native to Southeast Asia, has gained global popularity due to both its dose-dependent stimulant and sedative effects. This has raised concerns, particularly around adolescent use, as regular consumption can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms. In the Czech Republic, kratom is reportedly used alongside cannabis among adolescents. However, there is limited clinical data on the impact of kratom dependence within this demographic. This study aims to address this gap by exploring adolescent kratom use from the clinical and healthcare policy...

INTRODUCTION: Psychoactive substance use constitutes a significant determinant of morbidity and mortality among adolescent and emerging adult populations across European Union member states. This study aims to examine associations between substance use prevalence and drug-induced mortality rates, with a focus on age- and gender-specific disparities and spatiotemporal patterns across selected EU countries.

METHODS: The research design employed a quantitative descriptive-comparative analysis of EMCDDA and EUDA datasets spanning the years 2010–2022, complemented by predictive modelling using...

The article explores basic personality characteristics in accordance with the Big Five inventory; it concerns the age category of adolescence, i.e. the ages 11–19. Particular attention is paid to the variables of age, sex, and nationality as factors contributing to the establishment of these personality characteristics. The research involved 2,830 adolescents aged 11–19. The average age was 14.89 (SD = 2.23). Participants attended lower or higher secondary education (ISCED 2 and 3) in the Czech Republic or the Slovak Republic. The research employed the Big Five Inventory BFI-10. While...

INTRODUCTION:

In the present article, we focused on the relationship between risk behaviour in adolescents, self-regulation, pro-sociality and anti-sociality. We work under the assumption that the development of the ability to self-regulate facilitates processes of internalisation, thereby strengthening the conscious effort toward prosocial behaviour and the reduction in antisocial tendencies. This creates suitable conditions for minimising risk behaviours typical for adolescence.

METHODS:

Our research sample consisted of 3,092 adolescents enrolled in upper secondary education (ISCED 3)...