Experience of the Nationwide Gambling Self-exclusion Service Spelpaus - Effects and Limitations of a Unique Harm Reduction Instrument for Problem Gambling

Sponsor

Region Skane (Other)

Overall Status

Not yet recruiting

CT.gov ID

NCT05693155

Collaborator

(none)

Enrollment

Location

Anticipated Duration (Months)

1.1

Patients Per Site Per Month

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

Qualitative interview study addressing the effects and limitations of a unique, government-based, nationwide self-exclusion service for the reduction of gambling-related harm. This service, which allows for individuals at risk of gambling problems (and for anyone) to self-exclude from all licensed gambling in the country, is unique in its nationwide, non-gambling-operator-dependent and multi-operator design. It is a promising tool for the prevention and harm reduction in relation to problem gambling and gambling disorder, but emerging research data report considerable limitations including high access to non-licensed gambling allowing users to breach the voluntary self-exclusion and relapse into hazardous gambling practices. This study will examine effects and limitations of the system, for gamblers and for concerned significant others of gamblers, through qualitative interviews addressing their experience of the system.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Gambling Disorder Problem Gambling	Behavioral: Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling ('Spelpaus')

Study Design

Study Type:

Observational

Anticipated Enrollment :

20 participants

Observational Model:

Other

Time Perspective:

Cross-Sectional

Official Title:

Experience of the Nationwide Gambling Self-exclusion Service Spelpaus - Effects and Limitations of a Unique Harm Reduction Instrument for Problem Gambling

Anticipated Study Start Date :

Jan 30, 2023

Anticipated Primary Completion Date :

Jun 30, 2023

Anticipated Study Completion Date :

Jul 31, 2024

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/Treatment
Individuals with a gambling problem Recruited from a gambling disorder treatment unit and/or from social media advertising addressing individuals with a gambling problem.	Behavioral: Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling ('Spelpaus') Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling, using the government-based, official service 'Spelpaus' (literally 'play break')
Concerned significant others Recruited as concerned signifiant others of patients at a gambling disorder treatment unit and/or in social media advertising addressing concerned significant others of individuals with a gambling problem.	Behavioral: Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling ('Spelpaus') Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling, using the government-based, official service 'Spelpaus' (literally 'play break')

Arm

Intervention/Treatment

Individuals with a gambling problem

Recruited from a gambling disorder treatment unit and/or from social media advertising addressing individuals with a gambling problem.

Behavioral: Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling ('Spelpaus')

Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling, using the government-based, official service 'Spelpaus' (literally 'play break')

Concerned significant others

Recruited as concerned signifiant others of patients at a gambling disorder treatment unit and/or in social media advertising addressing concerned significant others of individuals with a gambling problem.

Behavioral: Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling ('Spelpaus')

Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling, using the government-based, official service 'Spelpaus' (literally 'play break')

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

Qualitative reporting of self-perceived effects from self-exclusion [Since 2019]
Subjective perception of favorable effects on gambling behavior or well-being
Qualitative reporting of self-perceived harm or limitations from self-exclusion [Since 2019]
Subjective perception of negative impact or lack of improvement with respect to gambling behavior or well-being

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and Older

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Inclusion Criteria:

Patient at a gambling disorder unit or self-recruited through social media advertising and defining as a person with a gambling problem, and/or concerned significant other of a patient at a gambling disorder unit or self-recruited through social media advertising and defining as a concerned significant other of a person with a gambling problem.

Exclusion Criteria:

Inability to provide informed study consent and to carry out a qualitative research interview, due to language difficulties and/or cognitive problems.