OBJECTIVE: The study examined the characteristics of pathological gamblers who complete treatment, compared with those who terminate treatment prematurely. DESIGN: Two comparison groups comprising treatment completers and drop-outs. METHODS: In all, 112 pathological gamblers who undertook a cognitive treatment programme for gambling were compared on different variables. RESULTS: A high score on impulsivity at intake significantly differentiated those participants who dropped out from treatment completers. There were no differences on socio-demographic and gambling-related characteristics, depression, anxiety, problem-solving skills and alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: These data implicate impulsivity as a significant factor in treatment drop-outs.
OBJECTIVE: The study examined the characteristics of pathological gamblers who complete treatment, compared with those who terminate treatment prematurely. DESIGN: Two comparison groups comprising treatment completers and drop-outs. METHODS: In all, 112 pathological gamblers who undertook a cognitive treatment programme for gambling were compared on different variables. RESULTS: A high score on impulsivity at intake significantly differentiated those participants who dropped out from treatment completers. There were no differences on socio-demographic and gambling-related characteristics, depression, anxiety, problem-solving skills and alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: These data implicate impulsivity as a significant factor in treatment drop-outs.
Authors: David M Ledgerwood; Emily S Orr; Kristen A Kaploun; Aleks Milosevic; G Ron Frisch; Nicholas Rupcich; Leslie H Lundahl Journal: J Gambl Stud Date: 2012-03