Research Article

The Digital Problem of Leisure: The Relationship Between Loneliness and Internet Gambling Addiction

Volume: 9 Number: 2026 March 23, 2026
TR EN

The Digital Problem of Leisure: The Relationship Between Loneliness and Internet Gambling Addiction

Abstract

Purpose: While leisure activities represent positive experiences in terms of outcomes, technology's impact on human life has also made negative experiences accessible. Individuals in emerging adulthood, who are in contact with these impacts in every aspect of life, are discussed in the literature within different age groups. This study aims to examine the relationship between loneliness and internet gambling addiction in emerging adults aged 18-25. Method: The study utilized a correlational survey model from quantitative research methods. 104 female and 115 male participants aged 18-25 were included in the study using convenience sampling. A large majority of the participants (76.7%) were found to have a good income level. Results: The research findings show that gender does not create a significant difference in the loneliness dimension among emerging adult participants. However, the motivation and commitment dimensions of internet gambling addiction show a significant difference in favor of male participants. Income level did not create a significant difference in terms of loneliness and internet gambling addiction for emerging adults. Conclusion: In conclusion, a low-level positive correlation was found between loneliness and internet gambling addiction in emerging adults. However, loneliness affects the motivation, addiction, and negative emotions that characterize internet gambling addiction.

Keywords

References

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  3. Arnett, J. J. (2004). Emerging adulthood: The winding road from the late teens through the twenties. New York: Oxford University Press.
  4. Bardak, F., & Alkar, Ö. Y. (2016). Üniversite öğrencilerinin sosyal ağları kullanım amaçlarına göre internet bağımlılığı ve yalnızlık düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. Journal of Dependence, 17(2), 55-65.
  5. Barry, D. T., Maciejewski, P. K., Desai, R. A., & Potenza, M. N. (2007). Income differences and recreational gambling. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 1(3), 145-153. https://doi.org/10.1097/ADM.0b013e318125088f
  6. Başoğlu, U. D., Yağcı, İ., & Seydioglu, C. (2024). Reasons for Gambling in University Students, Loneliness? A study on sports science students. Research in Sport Education and Sciences, 26(3), 138-149. https://doi.org/10.62425/rses.1492155
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sports and Recreation

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 23, 2026

Submission Date

February 20, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 19, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 2026

APA
Er, B., & Cengız, R. (2026). The Digital Problem of Leisure: The Relationship Between Loneliness and Internet Gambling Addiction. 9(2026), 42-54. https://izlik.org/JA25TL33LU
AMA
1.Er B, Cengız R. The Digital Problem of Leisure: The Relationship Between Loneliness and Internet Gambling Addiction. 2026;9(2026):42-54. https://izlik.org/JA25TL33LU
Chicago
Er, Batuhan, and Recep Cengız. 2026. The Digital Problem of Leisure: The Relationship Between Loneliness and Internet Gambling Addiction. 9 (2026): 42-54. https://izlik.org/JA25TL33LU.
EndNote
Er B, Cengız R (March 1, 2026) The Digital Problem of Leisure: The Relationship Between Loneliness and Internet Gambling Addiction. 9 2026 42–54.
IEEE
[1]B. Er and R. Cengız, “The Digital Problem of Leisure: The Relationship Between Loneliness and Internet Gambling Addiction”, vol. 9, no. 2026, pp. 42–54, Mar. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA25TL33LU
ISNAD
Er, Batuhan - Cengız, Recep. “The Digital Problem of Leisure: The Relationship Between Loneliness and Internet Gambling Addiction” 9/2026 (March 1, 2026): 42-54. https://izlik.org/JA25TL33LU.
JAMA
1.Er B, Cengız R. The Digital Problem of Leisure: The Relationship Between Loneliness and Internet Gambling Addiction. 2026;9:42–54.
MLA
Er, Batuhan, and Recep Cengız. The Digital Problem of Leisure: The Relationship Between Loneliness and Internet Gambling Addiction. no. 2026, Mar. 2026, pp. 42-54, https://izlik.org/JA25TL33LU.
Vancouver
1.Batuhan Er, Recep Cengız. The Digital Problem of Leisure: The Relationship Between Loneliness and Internet Gambling Addiction [Internet]. Vols. 9. 2026 Mar. 1;9(2026):42-54. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA25TL33LU

For the articles to be published in 2026 in the ÇOMÜ Journal of Sports Sciences, an international, peer-reviewed journal covering studies in the field of Sports Sciences, original research and review articles written in English within the scope of the journal will be accepted.

In this context, manuscripts for the 2026 publication period may be submitted until the end of November 2026.

Kind regards,

Editor
Prof. Dr. Hürmüz KOÇ