The Effect of Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Gambling Disorder

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial was to evaluate whether a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program focused on self-stigma could help reduce both self-stigma and gambling disorder severity in adults diagnosed with gambling disorder.

The main questions it aimed to answer were:

Did self-stigma-focused CBT lower self-stigmatizing thoughts in individuals with gambling disorder? Did the severity of gambling disorder symptoms decrease after the intervention? Did these changes remain stable after the treatment ended? Did self-stigma play a role in how the treatment worked? Participants were assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Completed assessments before the treatment, after the treatment, and during the 1 month follow-up period.

Participants in the intervention group:

Received four sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (face-to-face or online) targeting self-stigmatizing thoughts related to gambling Researchers compared the intervention and control groups to observe whether self-stigmatization affected treatment outcomes. Surveys used in this study included a self-stigma scale and the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS).

A total of 26 participants (13 in each group) were enrolled in the study; in addition, 3 extra participants per group were included to account for possible dropouts.

The results were analyzed using statistical methods.

Conditions

• Gambling Addiction
• Gambling Disorder
• Gambling Disorder Treatment
• Stigma
• Stigma of Mental Illness
• Self Stigma
• CBT
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Gambling Disorder

The Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Gambling Disorder (SSCBT) is a novel intervention designed specifically for this study and has not been previously used or named in existing literature. This 4-session protocol can be integrated into any part of GD treatment. Each session was accompanied by materials specifically designed for that session's content, and assignments related to the session's topics were given at the end of each session. Session 1: Gambling Disorder from a bio-psycho-social perspective, stigma and self-stigma, CBT introduction, cognitive-behavioral model of self-stigmatization, impact of emotions and cognitive distortions. S. 2: Self-stigmatizing thoughts and behaviors, identifying automatic thoughts with cognitive techniques, cognitive awareness, and restructuring with evidence examination. S. 3: Aligning behaviors with values, cognitive restructuring, behavior change, and self-awareness. S. 4: Prevention strategies, relapse prevention planning.

DRUG

standart pharmacotherapy

All participants continued to receive standard pharmacotherapy from their respective psychiatrists.

BEHAVIORAL

motivational intervention

All participants continued to receive the standard motivational interviewing intervention for addiction from their psychiatrist.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ege University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Umut Kırlı, Assoc. Prof. · Ege University, Addiction Clinic within the Institute of Addiction, Toxicology, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

• Ayça Çınaroğlu Asar, B.A.

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-04-01

Primary Completion

2024-09-30

Completion

2024-11-30

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations