The Relationship Between Gambling Behavior, Self-Esteem and Stress Factors: An On-Site Study

What are self-esteem and stress factors underlying gambling behavior? Is self-esteem a factor that directly affects the stress factor? Are there sex differences in gambling behavior issues, self-esteem and stress? In this study gambling addiction was thoroughly analyzed, and the answers to the questions above were sought. The sample was conducted in a casino in Batumi, Georgia, and consisted of Turkish citizens - 12 women and 44 men. In order to answer the questions mentioned, demographic information such as participants' ages, career, education and accommodation conditions were collected, among with the answers to the Gambling Risk Screening Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Perceived Stress Scale - 14. Independent-samples t-test, one-way ANOVA and factor analysis were performed on the collected data. According to the results of the study, participants who exhibited gambling behavior at regular level, had higher self-esteem and were less stressed than others. High self-esteem was associated with perceived stress. Sex was not a factor affecting gambling behavior. Female participants had higher self-esteem, and higher stress levels than male participants. The findings relate to past studies on gambling addiction, self-esteem and stress variables. Keywords: gambling, problematic gambling, self-esteem, stress, sex differences