ConGam-PS: developing and evaluating a measurement tool of treatment providers’ views about contingency management for gambling

Abstract

Contingency management (CM) is an evidence-based behavioral intervention highly effective at promoting behavior change. Despite evidence of its efficacy, the extension of CM to the treatment of harmful gambling has been slow. Wider dissemination of CM may be facilitated through identification of perceived obstacles and barriers. The present study developed items for a new scale, the Contingency Management for Gambling Provider Survey (ConGam-PS), to measure the views of gambling treatment providers of CM for gambling. In a mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) based approach, N = 111 UK gambling treatment providers were surveyed about their positive, negative, and neutral beliefs about CM. Descriptive analyses found that participants were open to using and receiving training in CM, and supported research on CM for treatment of gambling. Common concerns involved the potential negative consequences for clients when incentives are withdrawn and the feasibility of objectively verifying gambling abstinence. No significant associations were found between participant characteristics and CM beliefs. Overall, there is openness toward CM among treatment providers and further research and evaluation of CM for harmful gambling is warranted.