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- Månsson, Viktor, et al.
(author)
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Emotion regulation-enhanced group treatment for gambling disorder : a non-randomized pilot trial
- 2022
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In: BMC Psychiatry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-244X. ; 22:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Despite the association of Gambling Disorder (GD) with poor mental health, treatment options generally lack components targeting emotional difficulties. This study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of adding strategies of emotion regulation to an eight-session weekly group treatment.Method: This non-randomized pilot study recruited 21 treatment-seeking adults with GD, (mean age = 36.3, 19% females) from addiction care. In a mixed methods design, measures of within-group changes in self-reported symptoms of GD were complemented with thematic analysis of post-treatment interviews regarding the feasibility of the treatment.Results: Within-group scores on the Gambling Symptoms Assessment Scale (G-SAS) showed a 47% decrease (β: -0.1599, 95% CI: − 0.2526 to − 0.0500) from pre-treatment to 12-month follow-up, with Hedges’ g = 1.07 (CI: 0.57–1.60).The number of GD-symptoms according to the Structured Clinical Interview for Gambling Disorder (SCI-GD) decreased from 7.0 (SD = 1.60) at pre-treatment to 2.1 (SD = 2.36) at 12-month follow-up. Participants completed an average of 6.3 sessions and rated the intervention high in satisfaction and acceptability. Feasibility interviews showed no noticeable negative effects or ethical issues. Furthermore, helpful components in the treatment were: increased awareness of emotional processes and strategies to deal with difficult emotions.Conclusions: Adding emotion regulation strategies in the treatment of GD is feasible and acceptable and warrants further investigation in a controlled trial.Trial registration: This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT03725735).
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| 2. |
- Månsson, Viktor, et al.
(author)
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Treatment for problem gambling and counselors’ perception of their clinical competence : a national web survey in Sweden
- 2022
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In: Addiction science & clinical practice. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1940-0632 .- 1940-0640. ; 17:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Despite their crucial role in bridging science and practice, not much is known about counselors offer-ing treatment for Problem Gambling (PG). This study maps current treatment, the type of change techniques that areprioritized in treatment and how counselors perceive their clinical competence in their work with PG clients. Methods: A sample of PG counselors from the healthcare and social services (N = 188, mean age: 49 years, 67%women) completed an online survey. A principal component analysis was conducted to map prioritized typesof change techniques, and a multiple regression analysis was carried out to analyze predictors of counselors’ roleadequacy in their clinical work. Results: There was a large variation in the type of treatments offered for PG (mean 3.6). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT) and Motivational Interviewing were the most common treatments offered and motivation was rated as themost important type of change technique prioritized in the treatment of PG. A principal component analysis identi-fied four components reflecting different types of change techniques prioritized by the counselors: (1) standard CBT,e.g., gambling cognitions, craving management, and finding alternative activities, (2) assessment of PG, (3) fam-ily orientation, i.e., involvement of concerned significant others in treatment, and (4) focus on exposure strategies. Counseling more clients monthly was associated with higher levels of willingness, adequacy and legitimacy in theirclinical work with clients with PG. Additionally, offering CBT was a predictor for higher role adequacy and providingcounseling on the origins of and consequences of PG. Conclusion: There was a large heterogeneity among the treatments offered and what change techniques that wereprioritized among the PG counselors. Clinical experience is of importance for developing competence in treatingclients with PG. This finding suggests there could be benefits to establishing specialized, more visible treatment unitswhere PG counselors could gain adequate clinical experience, thus increasing clinical competence for treating PG.
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