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Treatment Goal Selection for Female Pathological Gambling: A Comparison of Abstinence and Controlled Gambling

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Abstract

The current study was an exploratory investigation of the selection of controlled gambling as a goal of treatment for female pathological gambling. Specifically, it aimed to explore: 1) the popularity of controlled gambling as a goal of treatment; 2) the reasons pathological gamblers select abstinence and controlled gambling as goals of treatment; and 3) the characteristics of pathological gamblers attracted to abstinence and controlled gambling. The sample comprised 85 female pathological gamblers attending a cognitive-behavioural treatment program for pathological gambling. The selection of controlled gambling by one-third (34%) of the sample suggests that, at least in the Australian context, controlled gambling is a relatively popular goal of treatment for female pathological gamblers. In this study, the only differences between treatment-seeking female pathological gamblers selecting abstinence and controlled gambling were that those selecting controlled gambling were older and were less likely to endorse the belief that problematic gambling is a disease or affliction that can only be overcome by lifelong abstinence. Further research investigating the characteristics of pathological gamblers associated with controlled gambling as both a goal and outcome of treatment is required in order to ensure that treatment-seeking pathological gamblers can make an informed decision regarding their goal selection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia

    Nicki Dowling

  2. School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, 3083, VIC, Australia

    David Smith

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  1. Nicki Dowling
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  2. David Smith
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Correspondence to Nicki Dowling.

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Dowling, N., Smith, D. Treatment Goal Selection for Female Pathological Gambling: A Comparison of Abstinence and Controlled Gambling. J Gambl Stud 23, 335–345 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-007-9064-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-007-9064-6

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