Design and implementation of an agent-based social simulation of binge drinking among Spanish youngsters

Alberto Mujica Ayuso. (2019). Design and implementation of an agent-based social simulation of binge drinking among Spanish youngsters. Trabajo Fin de Titulación (TFG). Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, ETSI Telecomunicación.

Abstract:
One of the favourite pastimes of young adults is spending time in bars, discos or in public socializing with others. In this activity alcohol plays an important part, which causes aggressions and other major harms, specially in countries like Spain where there is a big drinking culture. This problem is not new at all; different and varied alcohol related policies have been proposed, but there is little evidence to support their effectiveness before being implemented. In this thesis, an agent-based social simulation of 15-30 year olds in different environ- ments is designed and implemented. This allows to test different policies and their effec- tiveness in different areas of a city, which could improve decision-making from the council of the cities where this simulation is tested. Environments can be changed selecting the number and types of venues desired depending on the area the user wants to simulate. In this project, the effectiveness and the viability of six different policies has been tested and analysed in different environments. This model includes biological, behavioural and socio-demographic parameters. Differ- ent parameters have been analysed to test their contribution to the harms experienced by youngsters in a night out which allows designing new policies and have a better knowledge in which environments harms are more likely to happen. Local and global sensitivity analysis has made this possible To sum up, this model can help to improve existing policies and help to design new ones, which could lead to an improvement of youngsters quality of life and sociopolitical decision-making.