• myGriffith
    • Staff portal
    • Contact Us⌄
      • Future student enquiries 1800 677 728
      • Current student enquiries 1800 154 055
      • International enquiries +61 7 3735 6425
      • General enquiries 07 3735 7111
      • Online enquiries
      • Staff phonebook
    View Item 
    •   Home
    • Griffith Theses
    • Theses - Higher Degree by Research
    • View Item
    • Home
    • Griffith Theses
    • Theses - Higher Degree by Research
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Browse

  • All of Griffith Research Online
    • Communities & Collections
    • Authors
    • By Issue Date
    • Titles
  • This Collection
    • Authors
    • By Issue Date
    • Titles
  • Statistics

  • Most Popular Items
  • Statistics by Country
  • Most Popular Authors
  • Support

  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Admin login

  • Login
  • An Investigation of Dropout from Face-to-Face and Internet-based Psychological Treatment for Pathological Gamblers

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Melville_2010_02Thesis.pdf (831.2Kb)
    Author(s)
    Horrigan, Katherine M.
    Primary Supervisor
    Casey, Leanne
    Other Supervisors
    O'Donovan, Analise
    Kavanagh, David
    Year published
    2010
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    This thesis conducted an in-depth analysis of dropout within two psychological treatment programs for pathological gambling: face-to-face and internet-based treatment. The extent of dropout was examined at two different points throughout treatment: pre-treatment dropout and dropout during treatment. One hundred and fifty seven pathological gamblers registered to participate in the face-to-face treatment program. A high rate of dropout (42%) was identified with the majority of dropout occurring during treatment. A high rate of dropout was also found within a sample of 223 pathological gamblers who registered for the internet-based ...
    View more >
    This thesis conducted an in-depth analysis of dropout within two psychological treatment programs for pathological gambling: face-to-face and internet-based treatment. The extent of dropout was examined at two different points throughout treatment: pre-treatment dropout and dropout during treatment. One hundred and fifty seven pathological gamblers registered to participate in the face-to-face treatment program. A high rate of dropout (42%) was identified with the majority of dropout occurring during treatment. A high rate of dropout was also found within a sample of 223 pathological gamblers who registered for the internet-based treatment program. Fifty-nine percent of participants dropped out from the internet-based program with the majority of dropout occurring during treatment. The variables associated with dropout were also assessed. Within face-to-face treatment, dropout at any time from registration to completing treatment was associated with using cognitive coping strategies. Dropping out prior to commencing treatment was associated with spending a greater amount of money per day on gambling and using cognitive coping strategies; whilst dropout from treatment sessions was associated with using emotion-focused coping strategies. Within internet-based treatment, dropout at any time was associated with increased impulsivity, decreased frequency of internet use and a negative attitude towards reading. Dropout prior to commencing treatment was associated with increased impulsivity, younger age, a negative attitude towards reading online and not previously seeking professional help for gambling. Participants who dropped out from treatment sessions used the computer or internet less often than completers and were less likely than completers to have noticed a positive change in their gambling behaviour prior to commencing session two. Qualitative information identified that pathological gamblers had many and varied reasons for dropping out of the face-to-face and internet-based treatment programs including logistical, treatment and psychological difficulties This thesis also evaluated the success of an intervention designed to encourage pathological gamblers who dropped out of internet-based treatment to return to treatment. A return to treatment intervention was developed that addressed a range of variables that may be associated with dropout from the internet-based treatment program. Pathological gamblers who received the intervention were significantly more likely to return to the internet-based treatment after dropping out than those who did not receive the intervention. Overall, these results not only increase our understanding about which pathological gamblers are at greatest risk for dropping out of treatment, but provide evidence that distinct variables are associated with dropout at different stages of treatment and within different forms of psychological treatment for pathological gambling. Furthermore, the findings provide valuable information about intervening to reduce the extent of dropout from internet-based treatment for pathological gambling.
    View less >
    Thesis Type
    Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
    Degree Program
    Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (PhD ClinPsych)
    School
    School of Psychology
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.25904/1912/2682
    Copyright Statement
    The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
    Item Access Status
    Public
    Subject
    pathological gamblers
    dropout
    psychological treatment
    Publication URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10072/365516
    Collection
    • Theses - Higher Degree by Research

    Footer

    Disclaimer

    • Privacy policy
    • Copyright matters
    • CRICOS Provider - 00233E

    Tagline

    • Gold Coast
    • Logan
    • Brisbane - Queensland, Australia
    First Peoples of Australia
    • Aboriginal
    • Torres Strait Islander