Community treatment for problem gambling: sex differences in outcome and process.
This study compared sex differences in related treatment outcomes and processes in a community sample of outpatient problem gambling treatment-seekers. Participants attended approximately seven sessions of cognitive-behavioral treatment. Women were more likely to have a history of psychiatric comorbidity, prefer non-strategic/non-skill forms of gambling, and have a more rapid progression towards a gambling problem than did men. At the 6-month post-treatment follow-up, men were found to have improved to a significantly greater degree on measures of gambling severity and rates of abstinence in comparison to women. Moreover, men rated treatment components to be more helpful, whereas women found specific gambling-related treatment interventions (e.g., identification of high-risk situations, gambling beliefs and attitudes) to be less helpful. Implications for identifying treatment needs of women seeking problem gambling treatment are discussed.
Toneatto
Tony
T
Clinical Research Department, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada. tony_toneatto@camh.net
Wang
Jenny Jing
JJ
D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome