No link between overuse of internet and gambling addiction: Study

Internet dependence and gambling addiction are not related at all, says a new study.

NA Dowling, PhD, from the University of Melbourne, and M Brown from Monash University, both in Australia, found that both behaviours, although addictive, are unrelated but share psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness.

The authors report that similar vulnerabilities, attributable to feelings of anxiety, stress, depression, loneliness, and social isolation, appear to contribute to excesses in Internet use and gambling behaviour.

"It is clear that effectively evaluating and treating these disorders requires a clear understanding of the individual symptomatology and internal conflicts particular to each patient," says Brenda K. Wiederhold, PhD, MBA, BCIA, Editor-in-Chief of Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, from the Interactive Media Institute, San Diego, CA.

The article appears in Rapid Communication in Cyberpsychology, Behaviour, and Social Networking.