Abstract
This study aimed to develop an empirically based description of relapse in Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) problem gambling
(PG) by describing the processes and factors that ‘pull’ the problem gambler away from relapse contrasted with the ‘push’
towards relapse. These conceptualisations describe two opposing, interacting emotional processes occurring within the problem
gambler during any relapse episode. Each relapse episode comprises a complex set of psychological and social behaviours where
many factors interact sequentially and simultaneously within the problem gambler to produce a series of mental and behaviour
events that end (1) with relapse where ‘push’ overcomes ‘pull’ or (2) continued abstinence where ‘pull’ overcomes ‘push’.
Four focus groups comprising thirty participants who were EGM problem gamblers, gamblers’ significant others, therapists and
counsellors described their experiences and understanding of relapse. The groups were recorded, recordings were then transcribed
and analysed using thematic textual analysis. It was established that vigilance, motivation to commit to change, positive
social support, cognitive strategies such as remembering past gambling harms or distraction techniques to avoid thinking about
gambling to enable gamblers to manage the urge to gamble and urge extinction were key factors that protected against relapse.
Three complementary theories emerged from the analysis. Firstly, a process of reappraisal of personal gambling behaviour pulls
the gambler away from relapse. This results in a commitment to change that develops over time and affects but is independent
of each episode of relapse. Secondly, relapse may be halted by interacting factors that ‘pull’ the problem gambler away from
the sequence of mental and behavioural events, which follow the triggering of the urge and cognitions to gamble. Thirdly,
urge extinction and apparent ‘cure’ is possible for EGM gambling. This study provides a qualitative, empirical model for understanding
protective factors against gambling relapse.
(PG) by describing the processes and factors that ‘pull’ the problem gambler away from relapse contrasted with the ‘push’
towards relapse. These conceptualisations describe two opposing, interacting emotional processes occurring within the problem
gambler during any relapse episode. Each relapse episode comprises a complex set of psychological and social behaviours where
many factors interact sequentially and simultaneously within the problem gambler to produce a series of mental and behaviour
events that end (1) with relapse where ‘push’ overcomes ‘pull’ or (2) continued abstinence where ‘pull’ overcomes ‘push’.
Four focus groups comprising thirty participants who were EGM problem gamblers, gamblers’ significant others, therapists and
counsellors described their experiences and understanding of relapse. The groups were recorded, recordings were then transcribed
and analysed using thematic textual analysis. It was established that vigilance, motivation to commit to change, positive
social support, cognitive strategies such as remembering past gambling harms or distraction techniques to avoid thinking about
gambling to enable gamblers to manage the urge to gamble and urge extinction were key factors that protected against relapse.
Three complementary theories emerged from the analysis. Firstly, a process of reappraisal of personal gambling behaviour pulls
the gambler away from relapse. This results in a commitment to change that develops over time and affects but is independent
of each episode of relapse. Secondly, relapse may be halted by interacting factors that ‘pull’ the problem gambler away from
the sequence of mental and behavioural events, which follow the triggering of the urge and cognitions to gamble. Thirdly,
urge extinction and apparent ‘cure’ is possible for EGM gambling. This study provides a qualitative, empirical model for understanding
protective factors against gambling relapse.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-011-9267-8
- Authors
- J. Oakes, Flinders Human Behaviour and Health Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- R. Pols, Flinders Human Behaviour and Health Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- M. Battersby, Flinders Human Behaviour and Health Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- S. Lawn, Flinders Human Behaviour and Health Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- M. Pulvirenti, Discipline of Public Health School of Medicine, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- D. Smith, Flinders Human Behaviour and Health Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350