title: Treatment goal selection for female pathological gambling: a comparison of abstinence and controlled gambling.
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.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 VIC, Australia. nicki.dowling@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: Nicki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dowling
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D012008:Recurrence; D012649:Self Concept; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016387:Women's Health