Sources of motivation for changing gambling behaviour in online gamblers

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Author(s): Johansen, Ayna B. ; Helland, Pal Fylling ; Wennesland, Dag K. ; Henden, Edmond ; Brendryen, Havar

Journal: Addictive Behaviors Reports

Year Published: 2019

Date Added: January 28, 2020

The current study found two sources of motivation for changing gambling behaviour. These were: (1) empathizing with the feelings of others, (2) dissonance between gambling behaviour and ideal self. Dissonance could arise because of a desire to take part in sports and athletic activity again without it being tied to gambling. Dissonance could also arise due to gambling in the family.

Citation: Johansen, A. B., Helland, P. F., Wennesland, D. K., Henden, E., & Brendryen, H. (2019). Exploring online problem gamblers' motivation to change. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100187

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100187

Keywords: motivation ; online gaming ; problem gambling ; treatment referral

Topics: Online Gambling

Conceptual Framework Factors: Social - Family and Peer Gambling Involvement ; Types - Motivational Characteristics ; Gambling Exposure ; Social Factors

Study Design: Descriptive: Qualitative

Geographic Coverage: Norway

Study Population: Male, treatment- and non-treatment seeking, online gamblers (N=19), aged 20 to 44 years of age.

Sampling Procedure: Treatment-seeking participants were recruited from an outpatient addiction treatment center. Non-treatment seeking participants were recruited through posts on two Internet forums for gamblers.

Study Funding:

This research was funded by a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Norwegian Research Council and the University of Oslo, awarded to the first author, and funding from the Norwegian Directorate of Health, awarded to Blue Cross Addiction Treatment Centre, Oslo, Norway.