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

NCT05693155 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: Spelpaus study
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Gambling Disorder; Problem Gambling

Keywords

gambling disorder; problem gambling; concerned significant others; self-exclusion; harm reduction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Qualitative reporting of self-perceived effects from self-exclusion

  Subjective perception of favorable effects on gambling behavior or well-being

  Since 2019

• Qualitative reporting of self-perceived harm or limitations from self-exclusion

  Subjective perception of negative impact or lack of improvement with respect to gambling behavior or well-being

  Since 2019

Study Arms (2)

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')

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')

Interventions

Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling ('Spelpaus') BEHAVIORAL

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

Concerned significant others; Individuals with a gambling problem

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

1. Patients at a gambling disorder unit, or self-recruited through social media advertising and defining as a person with a gambling problem 2. Concerned significant others of patients 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.

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Region Skane: lead
• Lund University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Malmö Addiction Center

Malmo, Sweden

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

• Hakansson A, Tjernberg J, Hansson H. Effects and Limitations of a Unique, Nationwide, Self-Exclusion Service for Gambling Disorder and Its Self-Perceived Effects and Harms in Gamblers: Protocol for a Qualitative Interview Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2023 Nov 14;12:e47528. doi: 10.2196/47528.

  PMID: 37962917 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Gambling; Harm Reduction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Risk-Taking; Behavior; Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Anders Håkansson, PhD

  Region Skåne

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Helena Hansson, PhD

  Lund University, School of Social Work

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Anders Håkansson, PhD

CONTACT

+46 46 175596; anders_c.hakansson@med.lu.se

Johanna Tjernberg, Reg Nurse

CONTACT

+46 72 463 64 06; johanna.tjernberg@skane.se

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Consultant physician, professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 27, 2022
• First Posted: January 20, 2023
• Study Start: February 13, 2023
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2023
• Study Completion: July 31, 2024
• Last Updated: February 9, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SE (1)