Gambling Attitudes and Brief Treatment among Ex-offenders with Disordered Gambling

• Main Author: April, Laura M
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2019
• Subjects: Clinical psychology; Law; Personality psychology
• ISBN: 9780438786882; 0438786882

Correctional populations are disproportionately burdened by disordered gambling; yet, problem awareness is minimal in both offenders and professionals within the criminal justice system. Aims of the current study were two-fold: (1) to examine gambling attitudes and problem awareness among ex-offenders and probation and parole officers, and (2) to determine the efficacy of a brief gambling intervention. In Study 1, participants (N = 126) were ex-offenders on probation and parole and gambling attitudes, attitudes towards treatment, and disorder gambling status were assessed. Disordered gamblers (n = 102) were randomized to a brief intervention plus referral to treatment or referral to treatment only. In Study 2, participants (N=50) were probation and parole officers and gambling attitudes, attitudes towards gambling treatment, as well as their perception of disordered gambling among their clients were assessed. A brief advice intervention similar to the one offered in Study 1 was delivered. Both samples were re-assessed one month later. Lifetime disorder gambling was highly prevalent (86%) in the ex-offender sample, and providing information regarding disordered gambler status and referral to treatment was effective in decreasing gambling attitudes, as well as gambling severity and frequency. There was no effect of the brief intervention. Problem awareness was low among the officer sample, and while the brief information was effective initially in modifying officer’s attitudes towards gambling among their clients, these findings were not maintained at the follow-up. The current study has direct implications for treatment and intervention efforts among ex-offenders with disordered gambling and yields a greater understanding of attitudes towards gambling among ex-offenders and probation officers.