Abstract
Research on predictors of treatment outcome among pathological gamblers (PGs) is inconclusive and dominated by studies from
Western countries. Using a prospective longitudinal design, the current study examined demographic, clinical, behavioural
and treatment programme predictors of gambling frequency at 3, 6 and 12-months, among PGs treated at an addiction clinic in
Singapore. Measures included the Hospital anxiety and depression scale, gambling symptom assessment scale (GSAS), personal
well-being index (PWI), treatment perception questionnaire and gambling readiness to change scale. Treatment response in relation
to changes in symptom severity, personal wellbeing and abstinence were also assessed. Abstinence rates were 38.6, 46.0 and
44.4 % at 3, 6 and 12-months respectively. Significant reductions in gambling frequency, GSAS, and improvement in PWI were
reported between baseline and subsequent outcome assessments, with the greatest change occurring in the initial three months.
No demographic, clinical, behavioural or treatment programme variable consistently predicted outcome at all three assessments,
though treatment satisfaction was the most frequent significant predictor. However, being unemployed, having larger than average
debts, poor treatment satisfaction and attending fewer sessions at the later stages of treatment were associated with significantly
poorer outcomes, up to 1-year after initiating treatment. These findings show promise for the effectiveness of a CBT-based
treatment approach for the treatment of predominantly Chinese PGs. Clinical implications and suggestions for future research
are discussed. Taken together, the findings suggest early treatment satisfaction is paramount in improving short-term outcomes,
with baseline gambling behaviour and treatment intensity playing a more significant role in the longer term.
Western countries. Using a prospective longitudinal design, the current study examined demographic, clinical, behavioural
and treatment programme predictors of gambling frequency at 3, 6 and 12-months, among PGs treated at an addiction clinic in
Singapore. Measures included the Hospital anxiety and depression scale, gambling symptom assessment scale (GSAS), personal
well-being index (PWI), treatment perception questionnaire and gambling readiness to change scale. Treatment response in relation
to changes in symptom severity, personal wellbeing and abstinence were also assessed. Abstinence rates were 38.6, 46.0 and
44.4 % at 3, 6 and 12-months respectively. Significant reductions in gambling frequency, GSAS, and improvement in PWI were
reported between baseline and subsequent outcome assessments, with the greatest change occurring in the initial three months.
No demographic, clinical, behavioural or treatment programme variable consistently predicted outcome at all three assessments,
though treatment satisfaction was the most frequent significant predictor. However, being unemployed, having larger than average
debts, poor treatment satisfaction and attending fewer sessions at the later stages of treatment were associated with significantly
poorer outcomes, up to 1-year after initiating treatment. These findings show promise for the effectiveness of a CBT-based
treatment approach for the treatment of predominantly Chinese PGs. Clinical implications and suggestions for future research
are discussed. Taken together, the findings suggest early treatment satisfaction is paramount in improving short-term outcomes,
with baseline gambling behaviour and treatment intensity playing a more significant role in the longer term.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-012-9328-7
- Authors
- Song Guo, National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
- Victoria Manning, National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
- Kyaw Kyaw Wai Thane, National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
- Andrew Ng, National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
- Edimansyah Abdin, National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
- Kim Eng Wong, National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350