The purpose of this study was to examine whether the treatment motivation of patients with gambling disorder is affected by internalized stigma, perceived social support, depression, and anxiety. Data from 165 male patients with gambling disorder from Istanbul were analyzed.
The findings suggest that people with higher levels of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to seek treatment had higher levels of internalized stigma, including feeling alienated, endorsing negative stereotypes about people with gambling disorder (GD), perceived discrimination, and social withdrawal. The study also found that people with higher levels of extrinsic motivation had more anxiety and depression symptoms.
Overall, treatment motivation was explained by internalized stigma. Regarding specific treatment motivation, intrinsic motivation was explained by feeling alienated, while extrinsic motivation was explained by depression, anxiety, and endorsing stereotypes. Social support did not affect treatment motivation.
