Significant others and gambling treatment outcomes.

Full Abstract

AIMS:
This study investigates the effect of significant others on treatment outcomes among treated pathological gamblers.

DESIGN:
This is a cohort study of individuals who received gambling treatment.

SETTING:
Oregon Problem Gambling Services (OPGS) for gamblers and their family members.

PARTICIPANTS:
4,410 adult gamblers who were discharged from treatment between August, 2001 and April, 2007.

MEASUREMENTS:
OPGS enrollment forms provided gambler gender, age, ethnicity, education level, employment status, gambling-related debt, and whether the gambler had a significant other at the time of enrollment. Termination forms provided information on the type of discharge (successful/unsuccessful) and treatment length (in days). Participation of the gambler's significant other in the family treatment program was identified.

FINDINGS:
Results showed that age, ethnicity, gambling debt, and having a significant other are associated with the odds of successful treatment. Education level moderates the effect of having a significant other on treatment success. Age, ethnicity, education, employment, and having a significant other participate in treatment significantly impacted gamblers' length in treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:
These findings indicate that there may be a benefit to integrating significant others in gambling treatment methods. Significant others may act as social supports for gamblers seeking treatment, and involving loved ones in gambling treatment models may positively affect gambler treatment outcomes.

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Author information

Author/s: Ingle, Prajkta J (PJ); Marotta, Jeffrey (J); McMillan, Garnett (G); Wisdom, Jennifer P (JP);

Affiliation: Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of gambling studies / co-sponsored by the National Council on Problem Gambling and Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming (J Gambl Stud), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Sep; vol 24 (issue 3) : pp 381-92

Dates: Created 2008/06/27; Completed 2008/07/24;

PMID: 18320296, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Aged
Cohort Studies
Family Relations
Female
Gambling - psychology
Humans
Impulse Control Disorders - psychology; therapy
Interpersonal Relations

Interpersonal Relations
Male
Middle Aged
Oregon
Questionnaires
Self-Help Groups
Social Support
Substance-Related Disorders - therapy
Treatment Outcome

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