Abstract
Despite the range of free services available in Australia, few family and friends of people with problem gambling access them. Over recent years, the Australian gambling help service system has expanded to include web-based counselling. Family and friends make up approximately 15% of people accessing this new modality, however little is known of the reasons for choosing this form of assistance over other interventions. This research aimed to understand the reasons family and friends choose to use single-session web-based counselling over other modes (i.e., face-to-face and telephone), as well as why they would recommend it to other affected people. The study involved 63 participants (70% intimate partners, 13% children, 6% friends, 5% parents, 6% other family members) who completed open-ended questions on reasons for using and recommending web-based counselling, with over three-quarters of the sample seeking help for the first time. A descriptive content analysis revealed multiple overlapping themes, including ease of access (41.3% of reasons for choosing), privacy and anonymity (17.5%), and a preference for the characteristics inherent in the therapeutic medium (23.8%). We also found web-based counselling provided a pathway into services (11.1%) and that the intervention provided was viewed as helpful and a reason for recommendation (34.9% of reasons for recommending). This research provides important new information on the help-seeking preferences of family and friends. Future research is required to understand the relationship between reasons for use, help-seeking preferences and the effectiveness of single-session web-based counselling for people affected by problem gambling.
Highlights
The impact of problem gambling is broader than its effects on the gambler, with estimates suggesting up to seven people close to the gambler are typically adversely affected (Productivity Commission 2010)
It has been proposed that family and friends may be significant in assisting gamblers seek help (Clarke et al 2007), and in some cases, reduce harms associated with problem gambling (Hodgins et al 2007; Ingle et al 2008)
Interventions designed to improve the functioning of the family and friends of problem gamblers have included Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), which has been previously found to be effective in reducing alcohol use (Hodgins et al 2007; Makarchuk et al 2002), as well as treatments that aim to increase the coping skills and decrease the distress of family and friends (Rychtarik & McGillicuddy 2006)
Summary
The impact of problem gambling is broader than its effects on the gambler, with estimates suggesting up to seven people close to the gambler are typically adversely affected (Productivity Commission 2010). Family and friends report confusion over how to manage the problem gambling (on a daily basis as well as long-term), and struggle with putting boundaries around spending (Patford 2007a). These effects have been most frequently studied among the intimate partners and children of problem gamblers, but extended family members and friends are affected, probably generally to a lesser extent (Heineman 1989; Kalischuk et al 2006; Moody 1989; Patford 2007b). Interventions designed to improve the functioning of the family and friends of problem gamblers have included Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), which has been previously found to be effective in reducing alcohol use (Hodgins et al 2007; Makarchuk et al 2002), as well as treatments that aim to increase the coping skills and decrease the distress of family and friends (Rychtarik & McGillicuddy 2006)
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