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14. EFFECTS OF A MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEW ON PROBLEM GAMBLING BEHAVIOUR

By: Dr. David Hodgins (Principal Investigator) -- Project Approved 2001-02

A brief motivational interview for problem gamblers was developed and evaluated. A "motivational interview" is a non-confrontational interaction that allows an individual to discuss his or her concerns, express and explore ambivalent feelings about changing problem behaviour, and consider alternatives. The effects of a single motivational interview on subsequent gambling behaviour were evaluated. Dr. David Hodgins (PI); Ms. Katherine Diskin (CI), Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calgary.

Status (Complete):

The data collection was completed in June 2005, when the final follow-up telephone calls were made. The follow-up rates for the study were as follows: 97.5% at one month, 92.6% at three months, 86.4% at six months, and 82.8% at twelve months. Final analysis of the data is being completed.

Final results were presented in a poster (Effects of a Single Session Motivational Intervention on Problem Gambling Behaviour) June 23-25, 2005, National Council on Problem Gambling 19th Annual Conference on Prevention, Research and Treatment of Problem Gambling. Findings were also reported in a forthcoming book on motivational interventions. Abstracts were submitted for two forthcoming conferences – Alberta Mental Health Board Showcase, November 2005 and Eleventh International Conference on Treatment of Addictive Behaviors, New Mexico, January-February, 2006.

Diskin, K. M., & Hodgins, D. C. (2009). A randomized controlled trial of a single session motivational intervention for concerned gamblers. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 47, 382-388.
doi:10.1016/j.brat.2009.01.018

Hodgins, D. & Diskin, K. M. (2008). Motivational interviewing in the treatment of problem and pathological gambling. In H. Arkowitz, , H. A. Westra, W. R. Miller,  & S. Rollnick (Eds.), Motivational interviewing in the treatment of psychological problems (pp. 225-248). London: Guilford Press.


The Alberta Gaming Research Institute provides grant funding to support peer-endorsed academic investigations into many aspects of gambling research. The contents, recommendations, and findings of the associated research reports, posted on this website, represent the views of the researcher(s). 

Last Updated: 03/07/06