An investigation of the relationship between online betting behaviors and self-esteem"

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between online betting behavior and self-worth. The sample of the study consists of 215 individuals, including 58 women (27.0%) and 157 men (73.0%), aged between 18 and 60 (M=26.83, SD=4.74), who were reached through an online survey method. To collect data from the participants, a Demographic Information Form, the Gambling Motivation Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used. When the findings were examined, statistically significant relationships were found between some sub-dimensions of online betting motivation and self-worth. According to the correlation analysis between the Gambling Motivation Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, there were positive, low-level but significant correlations between external motivation – introjected (r = .18, p<.05) and amotivation (r = .19, p<.05) with self-worth. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between intrinsic motivation or external motivation – external regulation and self-worth (p>.05). In terms of demographic variables, it was observed that male participants had higher levels of online betting motivation scores compared to female participants. It was also found that as age increased, levels of amotivation decreased (r = –.18, p<.05). Variables such as frequency of betting, duration of betting, and type of games played were found to have a significant effect, particularly on external motivation scores (p<.05). However, no significant differences were observed in self-worth scores based on these demographic variables. In conclusion, the data obtained suggest that certain dimensions of online betting motivation have a weak but statistically significant relationship with self-worth. Key Words:Online Gambling,Motivation,Self-Esteem