Online Gambling Consumer Behavior: Addiction, Social Stigma, Psychological Distress, and Gender Differences

Authors

  • Tri Utami Faculty of Economics and Psychology, Universitas Widya Dharma, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3217-1747
  • Yulinda Erma Suryani Faculty of Economics and Psychology, Universitas Widya Dharma, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5840-9242
  • Anis Marjukah Faculty of Economics and Psychology, Universitas Widya Dharma, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1124-3169
  • Danik Eka Purwaningsih Faculty of Economics and Psychology, Universitas Widya Dharma, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47679/jopp.7412702025

Keywords:

Addiction, Consumer Behavior, Gender Differences, Online Gambling, Psychological Distress, Social Stigma

Abstract

This study investigates the differences in online gambling addiction, psychological distress, and social stigma considerations between men and women. Furthermore, this study examines the moderating role of gender in the relationship between social stigma and online gambling addiction, and between addiction and psychological distress. This research involved 191 respondents, with 128 men and 63 women. Results showed that men have significantly higher levels of addiction, psychological distress, and consideration of social stigma compared to women. Social stigma has a significant positive effect on addiction, while addiction itself has a positive impact on psychological distress for both genders. However, gender does not moderate these relationships, suggesting that the mechanisms influencing addiction and psychological distress are universal across genders. This study emphasises the need for inclusive preventive interventions, particularly targeting young men, and social support-based and empathetic educational approaches to reduce addictive behaviors and mitigate the psychological consequences of online gambling.

Author Biographies

Tri Utami, Faculty of Economics and Psychology, Universitas Widya Dharma

Tri Utami. She is currently in her fifth year of doctoral program at Universitas Gadjah Mada and has been a lecturer at Universitas Widya Dharma since 2015. She is actively engaged in teaching, research, and academic collaborations. Her primary research interests include financial accounting, corporate governance, behavioural accounting, management accounting, and issues related to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Through her scholarly work and publications, she contributes to advancing accounting knowledge in both theoretical and practical contexts.

Yulinda Erma Suryani, Faculty of Economics and Psychology, Universitas Widya Dharma

Yulinda Erma Suryani is a fourth-year doctoral candidate at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta and has served as a lecturer at Universitas Widya Dharma since 2008. She is actively engaged in psychology and education research, with expertise in psychometrics, evaluation, and test development. Her academic work also explores disaster psychology, environmental psychology, bullying, and sexual violence, contributing to both theoretical insights and practical solutions in addressing critical psychological and educational issues.

Anis Marjukah, Faculty of Economics and Psychology, Universitas Widya Dharma

Anis Marjukah holds a doctoral degree in management and has served as a lecturer since 1994. Her primary academic interest lies in management, particularly marketing management. Beyond academia, she is actively involved in assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing their businesses. Her concern for the challenges faced by SMEs drives her continuous engagement in research, community service, and mentoring, bridging the gap between theory and practice to support sustainable business growth.

Danik Eka Purwaningsih, Faculty of Economics and Psychology, Universitas Widya Dharma

Danik Eka Purwaningsih is a third-year undergraduate accounting student at Universitas Widya Dharma. She has actively participated in various faculty-led research and community service projects. Her academic interests lie in behavioural accounting, with a particular focus on exploring Gen Z behavioural issues within contemporary accounting practices.

References

Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T

Antonio, J. C., Ong, A. K. S., Diaz, J. F. T., Cahigas, M. M. L., & Gumasing, M. J. J. (2025). The perceived risk and return, curiosity, and control analysis of online gambling intention among Gen Z and Millennials using extended UTAUT3. Entertainment Computing, 52, Article 100918. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2024.100918

Benedetti, E., Lachi, A., Lombardi, G., & Molinaro, S. (2025). From policy to practice: Assessing the impact of electronic gambling machine regulations on harmful gambling behaviour. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 79(9), 726–732. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2024-222474

Bennett, M., López-Jiménez, T., Medina-Perucha, L., León-Gómez, B. B., Berenguera, A., & Jacques-Aviñó, C. (2025). Risk perception and coping mechanisms by gender identity and education level during the COVID-19 syndemic in Spain. BMC Psychology, 13(1), Article 598. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02611-5

Carcelén-García, S., Narros-González, M. J., & Galmes-Cerezo, M. (2023). Digital vulnerability in young people: Gender, age and online participation patterns. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 28(1), Article 2287115. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2023.2287115

Caudwell, K. M., Bacovic, I., & Flack, M. (2025). What role do maladaptive coping and escape expectancies play in the relationship between stress and problem gambling? Testing a moderated mediation model. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 23(3), 2446–2459. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-023-01238-0

Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112(1), 155–159. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.112.1.155

Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24(4), 385–396. https://doi.org/10.2307/2136404

Donati, M. A., Vehkalahti, K., Capitanucci, D., & Primi, C. (2024). A structural equation model to explain gambling problem severity in adolescents with an integrated perspective. Journal of Gambling Studies, 40(2), 971–983. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-023-10266-3

Efrati, Y. (2025). The landscape of youth addiction in Israel: Identifying high-risk behaviors. Addictive Behaviors, 169, Article 108396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108396

Ghelfi, M., Scattola, P., Giudici, G., & Velasco, V. (2024). Online gambling: A systematic review of risk and protective factors in the adult population. Journal of Gambling Studies, 40(2), 673–699. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-023-10258-3

Grant, J. E., Potenza, M. N., Weinstein, A., & Gorelick, D. A. (2010). Introduction to behavioral addictions. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 36(5), 233–241. https://doi.org/10.3109/00952990.2010.491884

Greco, R., & Curci, A. (2017). Does the general strain theory explain gambling and substance use? Journal of Gambling Studies, 33(3), 919–936. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9654-2

Gürbüzer, N., & Gürcan-Yıldırım, D. (2025). Behavioral addictions and psychological distress: Insights from psychology students in Eastern Turkey. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1), Article 290. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04623-3

Hagfors, H., Oksanen, A., & Salonen, A. H. (2024). Gambling motives and offshore gambling: A Finnish population study. Journal of Gambling Studies, 40(2), 825–840. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-023-10253-8

Hakami, A. Y., Ahmad, R. G., Alsharif, A., Ashqar, A., AlHarbi, F. A., Sayes, M., Bafail, A., Alqrni, A., & Khan, M. A. (2021). Prevalence of behavioral addictions and their relationship with stress and anxiety among medical students in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, Article 727798. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.727798

Hing, N., Nuske, E., Gainsbury, S. M., & Russell, A. M. (2016). Perceived stigma and self-stigma of problem gambling: Perspectives of people with gambling problems. International Gambling Studies, 16(1), 31–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2015.1092566

Hunt, B., Zarate, D., Gill, P., & Stavropoulos, V. (2023). Mapping the links between sexual addiction and gambling disorder: A Bayesian network approach. Psychiatry Research, 327, Article 115366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115366

Kensbock, J. M., Alkærsig, L., & Lomberg, C. (2022). The epidemic of mental disorders in business—How depression, anxiety, and stress spread across organizations through employee mobility. Administrative Science Quarterly, 67(1), 1–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/00018392211014819

Koomson, I., Churchill, S. A., & Munyanyi, M. E. (2022). Gambling and financial stress. Social Indicators Research, 163(1), 473–503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-022-02898-6

Lazarus, R. S. (1986). Coping strategies. In S. McHugh & T. M. Vallis (Eds.), Illness behavior: A multidisciplinary model (pp. 303–308). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5257-0_21

Lin, M., Yang, Y., & Jo, W. (2024). Relationship between social isolation, cultural adaptation, and sports gambling addiction among Korean Chinese sports club participants. Journal of Gambling Studies, 40(2), 809–823. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-023-10241-y

Magill, M., Meisel, S., Moniz-Lewis, D. I. K., Maisto, S., & Witkiewitz, K. (2025). Self-efficacy as a mechanism of behavior change in addiction science and practice. Current Addiction Reports, 12(1), Article 27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-025-00632-z

Man, P. K., & Cheung, N. W. (2025). Composite conditioning risk, gambling disorder, and gender: A cross-sectional survey among Chinese married couples. Journal of Criminology, 58(1), 21–49. https://doi.org/10.1177/26338076241264579

Man, P. K., & Cheung, N. W. T. (2022). Do gender norms matter? General strain theory and a gendered analysis of gambling disorder among Chinese married couples. Journal of Gambling Studies, 38(1), 123–151. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10021-6

Matud, M. P., Bethencourt, J. M., & Ibáñez, I. (2015). Gender differences in psychological distress in Spain. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 61(6), 560–568. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764014564801

Nicholson, R., Mackenzie, C., Afifi, T. O., & Sareen, J. (2019). Effects of gambling diagnostic criteria changes from DSM-IV to DSM-5 on mental disorder comorbidity across younger, middle-aged, and older adults in a nationally representative sample. Journal of Gambling Studies, 35(1), 307–320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-018-9801-z

Nowakowska, I. (2023). The role of time perspectives and impulsivity dimensions in coping styles. Psychological Reports, 126(2), 877–896. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941211055706

Penfold, K. L., & Ogden, J. (2024). The role of social support and belonging in predicting recovery from problem gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 40(2), 775–792. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-023-10225-y

Petersen, M. A. (2009). Estimating standard errors in finance panel data sets: Comparing approaches. The Review of Financial Studies, 22(1), 435–480. https://doi.org/10.1093/rfs/hhn053

Piotrowski, C. (2025). Neglected areas of gambling research: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Gambling Issues, 56, 4–8. https://doi.org/10.4309/CHKF7074

Rundle, S. M., Goldstein, A. L., Wardell, J. D., Cunningham, J. A., Rehm, J., & Hendershot, C. S. (2025). Examining the relationship between public stigma, models of addiction, and addictive disorders. Addiction Research & Theory, 33(2), 143–149. https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2024.2365156

Sharifibastan, F., Erevik, E. K., Morken, K. T. E., & Pallesen, S. (2025). Associations between HEXACO personality traits, substance use disorders, and behavioral addictions: A protocol for a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews, 14(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-024-02741-8

Stavropoulos, V., Monger, K., Zarate, D., Prokofieva, M., & Schivinski, B. (2022). Online Gambling Disorder Questionnaire (OGD-Q): An item response theory examination. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 16, Article 100449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100449

Sulistiyani, E., Wahyuni, S., Setyadi, D., Karnowahadi, & Rustono. (2024). Determinant of gold investment decision in Z generation: A study of planned behavior and social learning theory. Management & Accounting Review, 23(1), 497–520. https://doi.org/10.24191/MAR.V23i01-17

Trivedi, R. H., & Teichert, T. (2018). Attitudes, beliefs and impulsivity in online gambling addiction. International Gambling Studies, 18(2), 327–342. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2018.1466188

Utami, T., Dharma, W., & Irawan, A. S. (2022). Book building vs fixed price revisited: The case of Indonesia. Riset Akuntansi dan Keuangan Indonesia, 7(1), 39–49. https://doi.org/10.23917/reaksi.v7i1.17112

Viertiö, S., Kiviruusu, O., Piirtola, M., Kaprio, J., Korhonen, T., Marttunen, M., & Suvisaari, J. (2021). Factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender difference. BMC Public Health, 21(1), Article 611. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10560-y

Williams, D. J., Thomas, J. N., & Prior, E. E. (2020). Are sex and pornography addiction valid disorders? Adding a leisure science perspective to the sexological critique. Leisure Sciences, 42(3–4), 306–321. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2020.1712284

Downloads

Published

2025-11-22

How to Cite

Utami, T., Suryani, Y. E., Marjukah, A., & Purwaningsih, D. E. (2025). Online Gambling Consumer Behavior: Addiction, Social Stigma, Psychological Distress, and Gender Differences. Journal of Psychological Perspective, 7(4), 349–360. https://doi.org/10.47679/jopp.7412702025

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Empirical Research

Citation Check

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Tri Utami, Yulinda Erma Suryani, Anis Marjukah, Danik Eka Purwaningsih

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Journal of Psychological Perspective (JOPP) is committed to promoting academic freedom and open access. To that end, we apply a copyright policy that empowers authors while ensuring the broad dissemination and responsible reuse of published work. More...

 

Similar Articles

<< < 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.