Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42290524›Full record

ArticleEuropean psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists2026

A qualitative exploration of women's experiences, stigma, and access to care in gaming disorder.

Catia Martins Castro, Noelle Marino Rothlisberger, Daniele Zullino, Sophia Achab

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Catia Martins CastroWHO Collaborating Centre for Training and Research in Mental Health, Geneva, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-4891-3154
Noelle Marino RothlisbergerDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Switzerland.ORCID 0009-0005-3217-7710
Daniele ZullinoDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0003-2468-8965
Sophia AchabDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGaming disorder (GD) is recognized by the WHO as a behavioral addiction, yet research remains predominantly men-centric. This study explores the experiences of women gamers, their perceptions of GD, and the barriers women face in accessing care.

methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants identifying as women (six cisgender women and one transgender woman) aged 21-26 years old, in France and Switzerland. Inductive reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify women's experiences of gaming behavior, stigma, and help-seeking.

resultsParticipants reported diverse gaming behaviors, with preferences for narrative-driven games (e.g., RPG and simulations). Stigma, lack of self-awareness, limited self-recognition of problematic gaming, and broader societal misconceptions emerged as significant barriers to recognizing GD as a potential clinical issue warranting help-seeking. None had sought professional care for GD, citing gendered stereotypes and diagnostic biases as key deterrents.

conclusionsThe study highlights the need for women-centered diagnostic tools, clinical approaches, targeted awareness campaigns, and flexible support systems for women with GD. Future research should prioritize larger, diverse samples and intersectional approaches.

Indexed as

Behavior, AddictiveHealth Services AccessibilityInternet Addiction DisorderPatient Acceptance of Health CareSocial StigmaAdultFemaleFranceHumansQualitative ResearchSwitzerlandYoung Adultaccess to carebehavioral addictiongaming disorderstigmawomenwomen’s health

Identifiers

PMID42290524
PMCPMC13445464

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.