Promoting safer gambling through social norms and goal setting: A qualitative process analysis of participants' experiences in the EROGamb 2.0 feasibility trial

Gambling, though a popular social activity, can lead to addiction and cause significant harm. This study aimed to explore the experiences of 36 low-to-moderate risk gamblers (PGSI score 0–7; 31 male, 5 female; 10 per each intervention arm, 6 per control group) in the ‘EROGamb 2.0’ feasibility trial...

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Main Authors: Reece Bush-Evans, Emily Arden-Close, Sarah Thomas, John McAlaney, Ruijie Wang, Elvira Bolat, Sarah Hodge, Abigail Hamson-Ford, Keith Phalp
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Internet Interventions
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000836
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author Reece Bush-Evans
Emily Arden-Close
Sarah Thomas
John McAlaney
Ruijie Wang
Elvira Bolat
Sarah Hodge
Abigail Hamson-Ford
Keith Phalp
author_facet Reece Bush-Evans
Emily Arden-Close
Sarah Thomas
John McAlaney
Ruijie Wang
Elvira Bolat
Sarah Hodge
Abigail Hamson-Ford
Keith Phalp
author_sort Reece Bush-Evans
collection DOAJ
description Gambling, though a popular social activity, can lead to addiction and cause significant harm. This study aimed to explore the experiences of 36 low-to-moderate risk gamblers (PGSI score 0–7; 31 male, 5 female; 10 per each intervention arm, 6 per control group) in the ‘EROGamb 2.0’ feasibility trial (n = 168). The trial used social norm messages and goal setting feedback to promote safer gambling behaviour. Participants took part in semi-structured interviews via telephone or audio calls using Zoom or Wire, a secure messaging app. The interviews were analysed using Framework Analysis. Most participants found the interventions interesting and useful, though some reported no change in their gambling behaviour. Motivations for joining the trial included interest in the topic, altruism, and financial incentives. Participants appreciated the study's clear information, efficient processes, and helpful notifications, despite some technical issues. Reactions to social norm messages were mixed, with some expressing scepticism about the statistics. However, the goal setting intervention was well-received, with participants valuing the clarity and usefulness of the information. External factors, such as promotional offers from gambling companies, influenced gambling behaviour. The findings support the feasibility and acceptability of social norm and goal setting interventions to reduce gambling behaviour, highlighting the need for personalised approaches in future research.
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spelling doaj-art-dea0f1539c7549b889f33edec27f2bb62024-12-12T05:22:00ZengElsevierInternet Interventions2214-78292024-12-0138100790Promoting safer gambling through social norms and goal setting: A qualitative process analysis of participants' experiences in the EROGamb 2.0 feasibility trialReece Bush-Evans0Emily Arden-Close1Sarah Thomas2John McAlaney3Ruijie Wang4Elvira Bolat5Sarah Hodge6Abigail Hamson-Ford7Keith Phalp8Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, United Kingdom; Corresponding author at: Poole House P118, BH12 5BB, United Kingdom.Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, United KingdomFaculty of Health and Social Science, Bournemouth University, Poole, United KingdomDepartment of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, United KingdomDepartment of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, United KingdomThe Bournemouth University Business School, Poole, United KingdomSchool of Sciences, Bath Spa University, Bath, United KingdomDepartment of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, United KingdomBournemouth University, Poole, United KingdomGambling, though a popular social activity, can lead to addiction and cause significant harm. This study aimed to explore the experiences of 36 low-to-moderate risk gamblers (PGSI score 0–7; 31 male, 5 female; 10 per each intervention arm, 6 per control group) in the ‘EROGamb 2.0’ feasibility trial (n = 168). The trial used social norm messages and goal setting feedback to promote safer gambling behaviour. Participants took part in semi-structured interviews via telephone or audio calls using Zoom or Wire, a secure messaging app. The interviews were analysed using Framework Analysis. Most participants found the interventions interesting and useful, though some reported no change in their gambling behaviour. Motivations for joining the trial included interest in the topic, altruism, and financial incentives. Participants appreciated the study's clear information, efficient processes, and helpful notifications, despite some technical issues. Reactions to social norm messages were mixed, with some expressing scepticism about the statistics. However, the goal setting intervention was well-received, with participants valuing the clarity and usefulness of the information. External factors, such as promotional offers from gambling companies, influenced gambling behaviour. The findings support the feasibility and acceptability of social norm and goal setting interventions to reduce gambling behaviour, highlighting the need for personalised approaches in future research.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000836Safer gamblingSocial normsGoal settingFeasibility trial
spellingShingle Reece Bush-Evans
Emily Arden-Close
Sarah Thomas
John McAlaney
Ruijie Wang
Elvira Bolat
Sarah Hodge
Abigail Hamson-Ford
Keith Phalp
Promoting safer gambling through social norms and goal setting: A qualitative process analysis of participants' experiences in the EROGamb 2.0 feasibility trial
Internet Interventions
Safer gambling
Social norms
Goal setting
Feasibility trial
title Promoting safer gambling through social norms and goal setting: A qualitative process analysis of participants' experiences in the EROGamb 2.0 feasibility trial
title_full Promoting safer gambling through social norms and goal setting: A qualitative process analysis of participants' experiences in the EROGamb 2.0 feasibility trial
title_fullStr Promoting safer gambling through social norms and goal setting: A qualitative process analysis of participants' experiences in the EROGamb 2.0 feasibility trial
title_full_unstemmed Promoting safer gambling through social norms and goal setting: A qualitative process analysis of participants' experiences in the EROGamb 2.0 feasibility trial
title_short Promoting safer gambling through social norms and goal setting: A qualitative process analysis of participants' experiences in the EROGamb 2.0 feasibility trial
title_sort promoting safer gambling through social norms and goal setting a qualitative process analysis of participants experiences in the erogamb 2 0 feasibility trial
topic Safer gambling
Social norms
Goal setting
Feasibility trial
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000836
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