Motivation-matched approach to the treatment of problem gambling: A case series pilot study

Melissa J. Stewart, Parnell L. Davis MacNevin, David C. Hodgins, Sean P. Barrett, Jennifer Swansburg, Sherry H. Stewart

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of the present case series was to provide a preliminary assessment of the utility of a motivation-matched treatment for problem gamblers. On the basis of their primary underlying motivations for gambling, 6 problem gamblers received either action-motivated (n = 4) or escape-motivated (n = 2) treatment. Drawing upon a cognitive-behavioural framework, this 6-session motivation-matched treatment was designed to address gamblers’ maladaptive motivations for gambling (i.e., the need or desire for ‘‘escape’’ or ‘‘action’’), as well as the effects of conditioning and maladaptive thinking patterns unique to each gambling motive subtype. Assessments were conducted at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3- and 6-month follow-up. Primary outcome measures included gambling behaviour (i.e., gambling frequency, time, and money spent gambling), severity of gambling problems, and gamblingrelated impairment or disability; secondary outcome measures included gamblingrelated craving, gambling abstinence self-efficacy, positively and negatively reinforcing gambling situations, and gambling outcome expectancies. Overall, participants showed pre- to post-treatment improvements on the majority of these measures, with relatively less immediate post-treatment treatment gains observed on measures that assessed positively and negatively reinforcing gambling situations and gambling-related impairment or disability. However, treatment gains at the 3- and 6-month follow-up were shown for most participants on these latter measures as well. Findings suggest promise for this novel treatment approach. The next step in this line of research is to conduct a randomized, controlled trial to compare the efficacy of this motivation-matched treatment for disordered gambling with treatment as usual.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)124-147
Number of pages24
JournalJournal of Gambling Issues
Volume2016
Issue number33
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2016

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was funded by the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. All rights reserved.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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