A Randomized Trial of Brief Interventions for Problem and Pathological Gamblers

Nancy M. Petry, Jeremiah Weinstock, David M. Ledgerwood, Benjamin Morasco

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

130 Scopus citations

Abstract

Limited research exists regarding methods for reducing problem gambling. Problem gamblers (N = 180) were randomly assigned to assessment only control, 10 min of brief advice, 1 session of motivational enhancement therapy (MET), or 1 session of MET plus 3 sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Gambling was assessed at baseline, at 6 weeks, and at a 9-month follow-up. Relative to assessment only, brief advice was the only condition that significantly decreased gambling between baseline and Week 6, and it was associated with clinically significant reductions in gambling at Month 9. Between Week 6 and Month 9, MET plus cognitive-behavioral therapy evidenced significantly reduced gambling on 1 index compared with the control condition. These results suggest the efficacy of a very brief intervention for reduction of gambling among problem and pathological gamblers who are not actively seeking gambling treatment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)318-328
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Volume76
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • brief interventions
  • cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • gambling
  • motivational enhancement therapy
  • treatment efficacy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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