Gambling Disorder and Stigma: Opportunities for Treatment and Prevention

Abstract

Purpose of Review Gambling disorder is among the most stigmatized mental health problems. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms that underlie this stigma and the effects of stigma-reduction interventions. This paper reviews extant literature on the stigma of gambling disorder and highlights evidence from this research and the broader mental illness stigma literature to help advance research on the prevention and reduction of gambling-related stigma. Recent Finding The public stigma of gambling disorder includes stereotypes of affected individuals as “greedy” and “irresponsible,” beliefs that affected individuals are to blame for their problems, and desire to avoid social contact with affected individuals. Stigmatizing attitudes held by the public are often internalized by individuals with gambling disorder, which leads to problem concealment, reduced treatment-seeking, and decreased self-esteem. Women with gambling disorder, as well as those with more severe gambling problems and who perceive greater stigma by the public, are most vulnerable to self-stigma. There is evidence that certain beliefs may underlie the stigmatization of gambling disorder, including beliefs about its causes. Contact- and education-based interventions show efficacy for the reduction of mental illness-related stigma more broadly; additional research is needed to determine the efficacy of various stigma reduction strategies for gambling disorder specifically. Summary Gambling disorder is highly stigmatized relative to other mental health problems, in part because it is viewed as more likely to be caused by controllable factors. Interventions that emphasize the biopsychosocial etiology of gambling disorder may help to prevent and reduce the blame and stigmatization of affected individuals. Structural stigma within domains such as legislation, healthcare, and the gambling industry, interventions to reduce self-stigma, stigma among mental health professionals, and the influence of culture on stigma and its reduction are critical issues for future research.

Personal experiences of suicidality in women with gambling disorder – A qualitative interview study

“…Ethical consideration : GD is associated with stigmatization ( Palmer, Richardson, Heesacker, & DePue, 2018 ), and women might be more prone to experience stigmatization ( Dąbrowska & Wieczorek, 2020 , 2021 ; Quigley, 2022 ) being in the minority among those with GD. Further, experiences of suicidality can be a sensitive subject that can evoke thoughts and emotions that need immediate attention.…”

“…An Australian study examining why young women tend to gamble more frequently than previously found that feminization of commercials, gambling as a family activity – often with their fathers, and gambling as a social event might explain this increase ( McCarthy, Thomas, Pitt, Daube, & Cassidy, 2020 ). Despite this feminization, women with GD often experience stigmatization ( Dąbrowska & Wieczorek, 2020 , 2021 ; Quigley, 2022 ). This fear of stigmatization also appears to be a barrier to seeking treatment ( Dąbrowska & Wieczorek, 2020 , 2021 ), and might affect suicidality.…”

The Role of Hr in Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Healthcare Settings: A Comprehensive Review

“…The prevalence of mental illness among healthcare workers is a major concern, and it can lead to exhaustion, burnout, and impaired job performance (Vroege & Broek, 2022). Moreover, negative and stigmatizing beliefs about people with mental illness are prevalent among healthcare professionals, which can further exacerbate the challenges faced by individuals with mental health issues (Quigley, 2022).…”

Sikap Remaja terhadap Perilaku Perjudian

“…Hasil lainnya melaporkan terdapat korelasi antara perilaku judi remaja dan dampak psikologis, sosial dan ekonomi (Livazović dan Bojčić, 2019). Saat ini perilaku perjudian menjadi masalah Kesehatan mental yang paling distigmatisasi (Quigley, 2022). Stigma masih menjadi permasalahan yang dirumuskan dalam pencegahannya (Putri dan Tania, 2021;Tania et al, 2021).…”