A pilot trial of a peer-led gambling harm prevention intervention for adolescents (PRoGRAM-A)

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Author(s): Niven, Angela ; Miller, Martine ; White, James ; Noble, Leon ; Wardle, Heather ; Stoddart, Andrew ; Griffiths, David ; Weir, Christopher J. ; Ensor, Hannah ; Maxwell, Conor ; Howell, Freya ; Purves, Richard I. ; Dobbie, Fiona

Journal: Public Health Research

Year Published: 2026

Date Added: June 24, 2026

PRoGRAM-A is a school-based, peer-led intervention for preventing gambling-related harm in adolescents. This study was a pilot trial of PRoGRAM-A that took place at six secondary schools in Scotland with students aged 13 to 15 years old. The aim was to determine whether to move forward with a full-scale phase III trial. All five criteria to progress to a phase III trial were met. The intervention was delivered with high adherence to the manual. It was acceptable to students, teaching staff, and other stakeholders (e.g., parents). The estimated average cost of delivering PRoGRAM-A to two groups of up to 30 peer supporters in one school was £8313.00, with an average cost of £28.08 per student.

Citation: Niven, A., Miller, M., White, J., Noble, L., Wardle, H., Stoddart, A., Griffiths, D., Weir, C., Ensor, H., Maxwell, C., Howell, F., Purves, R., & Dobbie, F. (2026). Preventing gambling related harm in adolescents: PRoGRAM – A pilot cluster RCT – Synopsis report. Public Health Research, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.3310/GJFD3715

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.3310/GJFD3715

Keywords: adolescents ; gambling harm ; interventions ; peer support ; smartphone

Topics: Children and Youth ; Gambling Resources ; Priority Populations

Conceptual Framework Factors: Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Social - Social Demographics ; Psychological - Lifespan Development ; Social Factors ; Gambling Resources ; Resources - Interventions

Study Design: Experimental: RCT (randomized controlled trial)

Geographic Coverage: Scotland

Study Population: Young people aged 13–15 years (baseline: intervention N=762 students, control N=352 students. Follow-up: intervention N=598 students, control N=295 students)

Sampling Procedure: Schools were recruited through an online information webinar. The webinar invitation was distributed to schools via the study teams' research network. A site visit was set up to discuss logistics once a school agreed to participate. All students in third year of secondary school (aged 13–15) were eligible.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme.