Table 1.
Ratings for stigma-related barriers to help-seeking by gender.
| Males | Females | |
|---|---|---|
| Financial consequences | ||
| Continue to gamble to cover losses (6) | High | High |
| Use money from your own business/disability money to gamble (35) | High | High |
| Job loss (48) | High | Moderate |
| Financial ruin (49) | High | High |
| Debt/financial losses/bankruptcy (55) | High | Moderate |
| Embezzle money from your employer (64) | High | High |
| Stealing (73) | High | Moderate |
| Escape from reality | ||
| Feels good like drugs and alcohol (1) | Low | Moderate |
| Feel lucky (4) | Low | High |
| Receive VIP treatment (16) | Low | Moderate |
| Gambling reduces stress (24) | Low | Moderate |
| Casino tricks you into thinking you can win (25) | Low | Moderate |
| People use excuses or illogical reasons to gamble (26) | High | Moderate |
| Hypnotic/lose sense of time (no clocks on floor, lots of noise/lights/colour) (32) | Low | Moderate |
| Perception that the games are rigged (36) | Low | Low |
| Fun (39) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Can forget worries and find peace (46) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Constant highs and lows (47) | High | Moderate |
| Physiologically arousing (59) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Gambling relieves boredom (60) | Low | Moderate |
| Thrilling to win (65) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Gambling is an escape from reality (66) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Entertaining (68) | Low | High |
| No language barrier (69) | Low | Low |
| Seductions of gambling | ||
| Believe the casino can be beat (5) | Low | High |
| Can help resolve your financial problems (9) | High | High |
| Casinos make you feel important when you spend lots of money (12) | Low | Moderate |
| Casino is an uplifting environment (21) | Low | Moderate |
| Acquire large sums of money quickly (27) | High | High |
| Gambling is a way to kill time (30) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Can meet people but do not have to develop relationship (37) | Low | Low |
| Meet people/friends (44) | Low | Moderate |
| Enjoy perks of casinos (e.g. good food, free shows, alcohol, open long hours, incentives to play, easy access) (62) | Moderate | High |
| Gambling is addictive | ||
| Gambling is a worse addiction (e.g. don't get sick like with drugs and alcohol) (10) | High | Moderate |
| Use gambling as a ways to cope (18) | High | Low |
| Blame others for losing (29) | Moderate | Low |
| Blame ourselves for the loss (31) | Low | Moderate |
| Binge gambling (33) | High | Moderate |
| Can't stop even if you want to (43) | High | Moderate |
| Can't accept losses (52) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Get a gut feeling if you will win or lose (53) | High | High |
| Gambling takes over your life (54) | High | High |
| Don't want to admit you are addicted (56) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Gambling is always on your mind (constant thought of it) (58) | High | Moderate |
| Emotional responses to the addiction | ||
| Feel isolated (7) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Gambling increases alcohol and drug use (8) | Low | Moderate |
| Lose self-respect/self-esteem (13) | High | Moderate |
| Frustrated when losing (14) | High | Low |
| Get physical pain when your lose (feel sick) (17) | Moderate | Low |
| Sense of failure (19) | High | Moderate |
| Gambling is like alcoholism (22) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Shame (28) | High | Moderate |
| Can lead to desperation (34) | High | Moderate |
| Gambling leads to anger at self (40) | Moderate | Low |
| Deep down people don't feel good about themselves (42) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Will go insane if you stop gambling (50) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Anxiety (51) | High | Moderate |
| Gambling can lead to suicide (63) | High | Moderate |
| Depression (67) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Physiologically and mentally exhausting (70) | Moderate | Low |
| Destruction of family and relationships | ||
| The severity of the problem is a shock for families (2) | High | Low |
| Creates rifts/conflicts in relationships (3) | High | Moderate |
| Feel pressure from spouse/friends to gamble (11) | Low | Moderate |
| Loss of trust of family members (15) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Use money meant for family (20) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Anger from families (23) | High | Moderate |
| Emotional neglect of children (38) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Material neglect of children (41) | Low | Moderate |
| Destroys relationships/marriages (45) | High | Moderate |
| Dishonesty (e.g. lie to family, at work, etc.) (57) | High | High |
| Lose friendships (61) | Moderate | Low |
| Hide the problem from family (71) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Children may be apprehended due to parental gambling (72) | Low | Moderate |
Note: Bracketed numbers represent statement numbers from 1 to 73.