CHFA | Psychology Department Showcase: Projects In-Progress
Stigma: Psychological Disorders and Gambling
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Psychology
Minor
Spanish
2nd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
2nd Student Major
Psychology
2nd Student Minor
Human Development and Learning
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Esther Malm
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Stigma refers to negative attitudes that are held about individuals or groups with certain othering characteristics, meaning characteristics that set them apart from the dominant group in society. There is an expansive set of literature that provides evidence for the existence of stigma, particularly toward gambling and toward mental illness. However, little is covered in the current literature on how this stigma manifests differently toward different groups. The current study examines this hole in the literature in three distinct ways. The first is the difference in stigma levels toward gamblers in general vs. gamblers on gacha-games, a less common form of gambling. The second is the difference in stigma levels between those who have unlabeled psychological symptoms and those who have the same set of symptoms but with a labeled DSM diagnosis. The third is the difference in stigma levels toward those who are described as “general gamblers” vs. those who are described as having “Gambling Disorder.” We hypothesize that perceived stigma, a type of stigma that manifests from those outside of a stigmatized group toward those within it, will be (1) higher toward gacha-game gamblers than toward general gamblers, (2) higher toward those with labeled psychological disorders than toward those with a described set of symptoms that lacks the label, and (3) higher toward those with “Gambling Disorder” than toward general gamblers. Data-collection is ongoing with Murray State students using a survey. The current sample size is 51 participants. Results will be presented during Scholars’ Week.
Keywords: Perceived Stigma, Diagnostic Labels, Psychological Disorders, Gambling, Gacha-Games
Spring Scholars Week 2025
Psychology: Projects In-Progress
Stigma: Psychological Disorders and Gambling
Stigma refers to negative attitudes that are held about individuals or groups with certain othering characteristics, meaning characteristics that set them apart from the dominant group in society. There is an expansive set of literature that provides evidence for the existence of stigma, particularly toward gambling and toward mental illness. However, little is covered in the current literature on how this stigma manifests differently toward different groups. The current study examines this hole in the literature in three distinct ways. The first is the difference in stigma levels toward gamblers in general vs. gamblers on gacha-games, a less common form of gambling. The second is the difference in stigma levels between those who have unlabeled psychological symptoms and those who have the same set of symptoms but with a labeled DSM diagnosis. The third is the difference in stigma levels toward those who are described as “general gamblers” vs. those who are described as having “Gambling Disorder.” We hypothesize that perceived stigma, a type of stigma that manifests from those outside of a stigmatized group toward those within it, will be (1) higher toward gacha-game gamblers than toward general gamblers, (2) higher toward those with labeled psychological disorders than toward those with a described set of symptoms that lacks the label, and (3) higher toward those with “Gambling Disorder” than toward general gamblers. Data-collection is ongoing with Murray State students using a survey. The current sample size is 51 participants. Results will be presented during Scholars’ Week.
Keywords: Perceived Stigma, Diagnostic Labels, Psychological Disorders, Gambling, Gacha-Games