Training on analytical thinking may encourage gamblers to make safer gambling choices

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Author(s): Armstrong, Tess ; Rockloff, Matthew J. ; Browne, Matthew ; Blaszczynski, Alex

Journal: Journal of Behavioral Addictions

Year Published: 2020

Date Added: December 01, 2020

In this study, the researchers investigated whether training gamblers to use analytical thinking reduces their cognitive distortions about gambling. The researchers recruited 94 people who regularly gambled and had suffered gambling harm. The researchers randomly assigned participants to a treatment or control group. The treatment group received an online program that taught them how to use analytical thinking to overcome their cognitive distortions. The control group did not receive the program. The online program seemed to encourage people to have more accurate thoughts about gambling outcomes and to make safer gambling choices. More research is needed to explore whether this online program reduces gamblers’ cognitive distortions for a long time.

Citation: Armstrong, T., Rockloff, M., Browne, M., & Blaszczynski, A. (2020). Training gamblers to re-think their gambling choices: How contextual analytical thinking may be useful in promoting safer gambling. Journal of Behavioral Addictions. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2020.00049

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2020.00049

Keywords: erroneous beliefs ; gambling-related cognitions ; harm minimization

Topics: Gambling Resources ; Information for Operators ; Information for Treatment Providers ; Prevention

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological Factors ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Psychological - Judgement and Decision Making ; Gambling Resources ; Resources - Interventions

Study Design: Experimental: RCT (randomized controlled trial)

Geographic Coverage: United States of America

Study Population: Adults between 19 and 65 years old who regularly gambled and suffered harm from gambling (score 1+ on the Short Gambling Harm Screen). N=94

Sampling Procedure: Convenience sampling: The researchers recruited participants from Mechanical Turk who were over 18, gambled at least weekly, and had suffered some gambling harm.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Research Training Program, the Australian Government, and Central Queensland University.