Predicting people’s use of strategies to stay within their gambling limits

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Author(s): Bagot, Kathleen L. ; Cheetham, Ali ; Lubman, Dan I. ; Rodda, Simone N.

Journal: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction

Year Published: 2020

Date Added: August 18, 2020

This study applied the Theory of Planned Behaviour to understand factors that influenced gamblers’ use of strategies to stay within their gambling limits. A total of 411 Australian gamblers completed an initial online survey with a follow-up 30 days later. The results showed that 92% of the gamblers used at least one strategy over the 30-day period. Gamblers who had positive attitudes towards the use of strategies and believed that they had control over their use had greater intention to do so. In turn, intention predicted actual use of strategies. Unexpectedly, how others in one’s social network judged the use of strategies did not influence intention.

Citation: Bagot, K. L., Cheetham, A., Lubman, D. I., & Rodda, S. N. (2020). Predictors of strategy engagement for the prevention and reduction of gambling harm: A prospective application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00265-5

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00265-5

Keywords: behaviour ; natural recovery ; self-regulation ; treatment

Topics: Information for Treatment Providers

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological - Social Learning ; Psychological Factors ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Resources - Service Access and Use ; Psychological - Judgement and Decision Making ; Gambling Resources ; Resources - Interventions

Response Rate: 71.4% from consenting to completing the baseline survey (716 out of 1002); 57.4% from baseline to follow-up (411 out of 716)

Study Design: Longitudinal

Geographic Coverage: Australia

Study Population: Adult gamblers who wanted to stick to their gambling limits or reduce their gambling, and who completed both the baseline and follow-up surveys (n= 411)

Sampling Procedure: Participants were recruited as part of a larger study from May 2014 and June 2014. Recruitment involved free and paid advertising; promotion across a range of websites; direct contact with organizations providing gambling services (i.e., industry, treatment, government); and past gambling research participants. Study promotional materials were focused on recruiting participants who had attempted to stick to limits or reduce their gambling.

Study Funding:

This research was supported by Gambling Research Australia (GRA). The University of Auckland (Faculty of Medical Health Sciences) provided support for the preparation of the article.