TY - JOUR
T1 - Behaviour change strategies for problem gambling
T2 - an analysis of online posts
AU - Rodda, Simone N.
AU - Hing, Nerilee
AU - Hodgins, David C.
AU - Cheetham, Alison
AU - Dickins, Marissa
AU - Lubman, Dan I.
PY - 2018/9/2
Y1 - 2018/9/2
N2 - Reducing or quitting problematic gambling often requires implementing a variety of behaviour change strategies, but there is limited evidence regarding the breadth of specific strategies that gamblers use to control or limit gambling behaviours. This study aimed to identify the range of change strategies reported by gamblers in a naturalistic setting (i.e. two online forums for problem gambling). A total of 2937 change strategies were extracted from online posts (N = 1370). Content analysis identified 27 discrete change strategies that were pre-decisional (i.e. barriers–behavioural and psychological, decisional balance, realization–behaviour and cognitions, set reasons to change, seek knowledge and information, self-assessment), pre-actional (i.e. action planning, commitment, goal setting), actional (i.e. alternative activity, behavioural substitution, avoidance–abstinence, environment and financial, consumption control, maintain readiness, reinforcement, urge management, cognitive restructuring, seek inspiration, self-monitoring and spiritual) and multi-phased (i.e. external support, social support and well-being). This study suggests the breadth and depth of change strategies are far more complex than previously reported. Future research with a broader population needs to determine which change strategies are most effective for those experiencing different levels of gambling problems.
AB - Reducing or quitting problematic gambling often requires implementing a variety of behaviour change strategies, but there is limited evidence regarding the breadth of specific strategies that gamblers use to control or limit gambling behaviours. This study aimed to identify the range of change strategies reported by gamblers in a naturalistic setting (i.e. two online forums for problem gambling). A total of 2937 change strategies were extracted from online posts (N = 1370). Content analysis identified 27 discrete change strategies that were pre-decisional (i.e. barriers–behavioural and psychological, decisional balance, realization–behaviour and cognitions, set reasons to change, seek knowledge and information, self-assessment), pre-actional (i.e. action planning, commitment, goal setting), actional (i.e. alternative activity, behavioural substitution, avoidance–abstinence, environment and financial, consumption control, maintain readiness, reinforcement, urge management, cognitive restructuring, seek inspiration, self-monitoring and spiritual) and multi-phased (i.e. external support, social support and well-being). This study suggests the breadth and depth of change strategies are far more complex than previously reported. Future research with a broader population needs to determine which change strategies are most effective for those experiencing different levels of gambling problems.
KW - gambling disorder
KW - processes of change
KW - recovery
KW - Self-help
KW - treatment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85041818992&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/14459795.2018.1432670
DO - 10.1080/14459795.2018.1432670
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85041818992
VL - 18
SP - 420
EP - 438
JO - International Gambling Studies
JF - International Gambling Studies
SN - 1445-9795
IS - 3
ER -