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01-06-2019 | Review Paper

A Meta-analysis of Brief Personalized Feedback Interventions for Problematic Gambling

Authors: Samuel C. Peter, Emma I. Brett, Matthew T. Suda, Eleanor L. S. Leavens, Mary Beth Miller, Thad R. Leffingwell, James P. Whelan, Andrew W. Meyers

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 2/2019

Abstract

Personal Feedback Interventions (PFIs) have been widely used to reduce the amount of time and money individuals spend on gambling. A central component of these interventions is personalized information about an individual’s gambling behavior, often in comparison to others’ gambling. The purpose of the present review and meta-analysis was to evaluate these interventions in terms of content, mode of delivery, target sample, and efficacy. Sixteen interventions from 11 studies were reviewed. We found a small, statistically significant effect in favor of PFIs versus control (d = 0.20, 95% CI 0.12, 0.27). Six moderators of intervention efficacy were explored. These interventions appeared to be most efficacious when used in populations of greater gambling severity, when individuals were provided with gambling-related educational information, and when used in conjunction with motivational interviewing. Factors associated with reduced efficacy include in-person delivery of feedback without motivational-interviewing and informing participants of their score on a psychological measure of gambling severity. Efficacy did not vary as a function of college or community samples. PFIs are a low cost, easily disseminated intervention that can be used as a harm-reduction strategy. However, more substantial effects may be attained if used as part of a larger course of therapy.

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Title: A Meta-analysis of Brief Personalized Feedback Interventions for Problematic Gambling
Authors: Samuel C. Peter
Emma I. Brett
Matthew T. Suda
Eleanor L. S. Leavens
Mary Beth Miller
Thad R. Leffingwell
James P. Whelan
Andrew W. Meyers
Publication date: 01-06-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 2/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-018-09818-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

A Meta-analysis of Brief Personalized Feedback Interventions for Problematic Gambling

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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