Gender differences in gambling-related irrational beliefs and gambling severity among adolescents

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Author(s): Aonso-Diego, Gema ; Iglesias-Faba, Aida María ; Estévez, Ana

Journal: Journal of Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2026

Date Added: June 09, 2026

This study examined the link between gambling-related cognitive distortions, gambling severity, gambling modality, and type of gambling among adolescents. A total of 209 adolescents (aged 14–18 years) who gambled in the past year and were enrolled in secondary education completed a survey. Gender-specific analyses found that, for males, cognitive distortions increased with more severe problem gambling. For females, cognitive distortions were higher among those who gambled online. For males, online gambling was linked to having more severe problem gambling directly as well as indirectly through cognitive distortions. Among females, online gambling was related to having more cognitive distortions. In turn, these cognitive distortions led to more severe problem gambling. But online gambling was not directly associated with more severe problem gambling.

Citation: Aonso-Diego, G., Iglesias-Faba, A. M., & Estévez, A. (2026). Gambling-related cognitive distortions among adolescents: A gender-based analysis. Journal of Gambling Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-026-10498-z

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-026-10498-z

Keywords: adolescents ; cognitive distortions ; illusion of control ; online gambling

Topics: Children and Youth ; Gambling Cognitions ; Online Gambling ; Priority Populations

Conceptual Framework Factors: Exposure - Gambling Setting ; Types - Structural Characteristics ; Cultural - Gender ; Exposure - Accessibility ; Psychological Factors ; Cultural Factors ; Social - Social Demographics ; Psychological - Lifespan Development ; Psychological - Judgement and Decision Making ; Social Factors

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: Spain

Study Population: Adolescents (aged 14–18 years) who gambled in the past year and were enrolled in secondary school (n=209)

Sampling Procedure: Participants were recruited from educational institutions in Spain, including secondary schools and vocational training centres.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling and the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR. Open Access funding was provided through the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature.