Evaluation of a self-guided internet-based intervention for gambling problems

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Author(s): Bücker, Lara ; Gehlenborg, Josefine ; Moritz, Steffen ; Westermann, Stefan

Journal: Scientific Reports

Year Published: 2021

Date Added: August 31, 2021

This study evaluated a self-guided internet-based intervention for gambling problems. The intervention is called Restart and lasts for eight weeks. The researchers recruited adults who were seeking help for their gambling problems. They randomly assigned 79 participants to the intervention group (IG) and 77 participants to the control group (CG). The IG had immediate access to the intervention, while the CG was on a waitlist for eight weeks. Both groups improved their gambling problems after the eight weeks, with no differences between the groups. The IG also improved on depression symptoms, and the CG had fewer false gambling beliefs. People who were older, had more severe gambling problems, had more depressive symptoms, and had anxiety symptoms benefited more from the intervention.

Citation: Bücker, L., Gehlenborg, J., Moritz, S., & Westermann, S. (2021). A randomized controlled trial on a self‑guided Internet‑based intervention for gambling problems. Scientific Reports, 11, 13033. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92242-8

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92242-8

Keywords: barriers to treatment ; gambling problems ; Internet-based interventions ; online interventions

Topics: Gambling Assessment

Conceptual Framework Factors: Gambling Resources ; Resources - Interventions

Study Design: Experimental: RCT (randomized controlled trial)

Geographic Coverage: Austria ; Germany ; Switzerland

Study Population: German-speaking adults, aged 18-75 years old, who were seeking help for their own gambling problems (N = 150)

Sampling Procedure: The researchers used a Google AdWords campaign in Germany, Switzerland (German-speaking area) and Austria in 2018 to recruit participants.

Study Funding:

The study was supported by private donations to the working group and by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Swiss National Science.