Dr. Sally Gainsbury

Senior Lecturer, Centre for Gambling Education & Research

Overcoming the stigma of problem gambling

Sally GainsburyCentre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University

Presentation at New Horizons in Responsible Gambling

Vancouver, February 3, 2015

What is stigma?

“A social process by which an attribute, behaviour, or reputation causes an individual to be discredited by society”

(Goffman, 1963)

• Stereotype

• Judgment

• Labelling

• Negativity

• Damaging

• Devaluing

• Moral failure

• Not normal

Types of stigmaPublic stigma

• Formed within society

• Labelling, separating

• Prejudice

• Discrimination

Felt stigma

• Internalized

• From public

• From self-views

Consequences of stigma

• Discrimination

• Avoidance of help-seeking

• Employment, housing, assistance suffer

• Family, friendships and relationships disrupted

• Social isolation

• Low self-esteem

• Low self-efficacy

Reactions depend on self view

Stigma of problem gambling

• Blame

• Control

• Morality

• Trust

• Negative consequences

• Shame

• Embarrassment

Stigma as a barrier to help-seeking• Fear of judgment, discrimination

• Shame

• Delay in help-seeking (formal & informal)

•Problem recognition

•Willing to discuss problems

Denial

•Decision to seek help

•Confidence in help

Fear•Seek help

•Treatment compliance

Shame

Stigma: Treatment and recovery

• Less successful recovery

• Reduced treatment compliance

• Secrecy

• Lower quality of life

• Lack of support

• Internalised shame

• Reduced self-efficacy & confidence

• Lack of motivation

Addressing stigma: Treatment

• Therapeutic relationship

• Assessment

• Motivational interviewing

• Cognitive therapy

• Acceptance

• Seeking support

• Legitimacy

• Resilience

Addressing stigma: Institutional

• Enable private & anonymous treatment

• Peer-support

• Educate professionals

• Work with service providers

Addressing stigma: Community

• Public awareness

• Education

• Involving consumers

Addressing stigma: CommunityCaution to avoid creating stigma

Addiction language

Addressing stigma: CommunityCaution to avoid creating stigma

Stereotypes

Reducing stigma: Empowering gamblers

AcknowledgmentsCGER: Nerilee Hing & Alex Russell

The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the author. The information, views and references material in this presentation are provided solely on the basis that the audience will be responsible for making their own assessment of the information provided

Thank you

Dr Sally GainsburySenior Lecturer, Centre for Gambling Education & Research,

Southern Cross University

Email: sally.gainsbury@scu.edu.au

Website: http://works.bepress.com/sally_gainsbury/

https://scu-au.academia.edu/SallyGainsbury

@DrSalGainsbury

References• Corrigan, P. (2004). How stigma interferes with mental health care. American Psychologist, 59(7),

614.

• Hing, N., Holdsworth, L., Tiyce, M., & Breen, H. (2014). Stigma and problem gambling: current knowledge and future research directions. International Gambling Studies, 14(1), 64-81.

• Horch, J. D., & Hodgins, D. C. (2008). Public stigma of disordered gambling: Social distance, dangerousness, and familiarity. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 27(5), 505-528.

• Luoma, J. B., Twohig, M. P., Waltz, T., Hayes, S. C., Roget, N., Padilla, M., & Fisher, G. (2007). An investigation of stigma in individuals receiving treatment for substance abuse. Addictive behaviors, 32(7), 1331-1346.

• Rüsch, N., Angermeyer, M. C., & Corrigan, P. W. (2005). Mental illness stigma: concepts, consequences, and initiatives to reduce stigma. European Psychiatry, 20(8), 529-539.

To provide session feedback:

• Open New Horizons app

• Select Agenda tile

• Select this session

• Select Take Survey at bottom of screen

If you are unable to download app,

please raise your hand for a paper version