The Effect of Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Gambling Disorder

NCT06943963 | Completed Results

• 1 other identifier: 24-3.1/60
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 26
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial was to evaluate whether a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program focused on self-stigma could help reduce both self-stigma and gambling disorder severity in adults diagnosed with gambling disorder. The main questions it aimed to answer were: Did self-stigma-focused CBT lower self-stigmatizing thoughts in individuals with gambling disorder? Did the severity of gambling disorder symptoms decrease after the intervention? Did these changes remain stable after the treatment ended? Did self-stigma play a role in how the treatment worked? Participants were assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Completed assessments before the treatment, after the treatment, and during the 1 month follow-up period. Participants in the intervention group: Received four sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (face-to-face or online) targeting self-stigmatizing thoughts related to gambling Researchers compared the intervention and control groups to observe whether self-stigmatization affected treatment outcomes. Surveys used in this study included a self-stigma scale and the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). A total of 26 participants (13 in each group) were enrolled in the study; in addition, 3 extra participants per group were included to account for possible dropouts. The results were analyzed using statistical methods.

Conditions

Gambling Disorder; Gambling Disorder Treatment; Stigma; Stigma of Mental Illness; Self Stigma; CBT; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Gambling Addiction

Keywords

self stigma; CBT; gambling disorder; gambling addiction; controlled trial; therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Self-Stigmatization Score as Measured by the Self-Stigma Scale (SSS). Baseline (Week 0) to Post-treatment (Week 4) and Follow-up (Week 8)

  Self-stigma will be measured using the Self-Stigma Scale (SSS). Scores range from 36 to 144, with 72 and higher scores indicating severe self-stigmatization. Changes from baseline (Week0) to post-treatment (Week 4) and follow-up (Week 8) will be analyzed.

  post-treatment (Week 4) and follow-up (Week 8)

• Change in Gambling Severity Score as Measured by the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Baseline (Week 0) to Post-treatment (Week 4) and Follow-up (Week 8)

  Gambling severity will be assessed using the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Scores range from 0 to 19, with higher scores indicating greater gambling-related problems. Changes from baseline to post-treatment and follow-up will be analyzed.

  post-treatment (Week 4) and follow-up (Week 8)

Study Arms (2)

Experimental (Intervention) Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the research arm received "Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Gambling Disorder" addition to the standard treatment for Gambling Disorder (GD) provided at the Addiction Clinic. The standard treatment includes the medical treatment for GD and motivational interviews administered by a psychiatrist at the Addiction Clinic where the research is conducted.

Behavioral: Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Gambling Disorder; Drug: standart pharmacotherapy; Behavioral: motivational intervention

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in the control group received the standard treatment for Gambling Disorder (GD), as described in the previous paragraph, at the Institute's Addiction Clinic. The duration and type of treatment were tailored to the individual patient by the psychiatrist. During the period when the experimental group received the Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Gambling Disorder, the control group participants were placed on the waiting list and did not receive any specific intervention for self-stigma perception.

Drug: standart pharmacotherapy; Behavioral: motivational intervention

Interventions

Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Gambling Disorder BEHAVIORAL

The Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Gambling Disorder (SSCBT) is a novel intervention designed specifically for this study and has not been previously used or named in existing literature. This 4-session protocol can be integrated into any part of GD treatment. Each session was accompanied by materials specifically designed for that session's content, and assignments related to the session's topics were given at the end of each session. Session 1: Gambling Disorder from a bio-psycho-social perspective, stigma and self-stigma, CBT introduction, cognitive-behavioral model of self-stigmatization, impact of emotions and cognitive distortions. S. 2: Self-stigmatizing thoughts and behaviors, identifying automatic thoughts with cognitive techniques, cognitive awareness, and restructuring with evidence examination. S. 3: Aligning behaviors with values, cognitive restructuring, behavior change, and self-awareness. S. 4: Prevention strategies, relapse prevention planning.

Also known as: SSCBT

Experimental (Intervention) Group

standart pharmacotherapy DRUG

All participants continued to receive standard pharmacotherapy from their respective psychiatrists.

Control Group; Experimental (Intervention) Group

motivational intervention BEHAVIORAL

All participants continued to receive the standard motivational interviewing intervention for addiction from their psychiatrist.

Control Group; Experimental (Intervention) Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Meeting the diagnostic criteria for Gambling Disorder (GD) according to the DSM-5:
• Currently receiving or having completed the standard treatment provided at the outpatient clinic.
• Scoring 72 or above on the Self Stigma Scale.
• Being between 18 and 65 years old.

You may not qualify if:

• "Intellectual Disability" classified under neurodevelopmental disorders.
• "Communication Disorders" resulting from neurodevelopmental disorders or another medical condition.
• Based on clinical interviews and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria:
• "Bipolar and Related Disorders" with psychotic features.
• "Depressive Disorders" with psychotic features.
• "Dissociative Disorders" such as depersonalization, derealization, or identity disruption.
• Any disorder classified under "Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders," including schizophrenia, schizotypal personality disorder, and schizoaffective disorder.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ege University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ege University

Izmir, Bornova, 3100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Gambling; Social Stigma

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Limitations and Caveats

The groups were not fully balanced in baseline gambling severity, which may influence interpretation of the results. The study was not placebo-controlled or blinded, which could affect participant responses. Additionally, the one-month follow-up limits conclusions about the long-term effects of the intervention.Since SSCBT is a newly developed intervention model, further studies with larger and more diverse samples are needed to strengthen the evidence base.

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Ayça Çınaroğlu Asar
• Organization: Ege University

aycacinaroglu@icloud.com

0 543 530 86 83

Study Officials

• Umut Kırlı, Assoc. Prof.

  Ege University, Addiction Clinic within the Institute of Addiction, Toxicology, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Ayça Çınaroğlu Asar, B.A.

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: No
• Restrictive Agreement: No

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: This study uses a randomized controlled trial design with an intervention and control group. Participants diagnosed with Gambling Disorder and followed at the Ege University Institute of Substance Addiction, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Sciences were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group.The intervention group underwent a four-session structured cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program specifically designed to address self-stigma, while the control group received treatment as usual.Pre- and post-test assessments were conducted using the Self-Stigma Scale (SSS) and the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) to assess changes in self-stigma perception and gambling severity. Additionally, a follow-up assessment was conducted one month after post-testing to measure sustainability of improvements over time. A power analysis determined that 26 participants (13 per group) were required for a power of 0.80. To account for potential dropouts, the sample size was increased by 20%.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 17, 2025
• First Posted: April 25, 2025
• Study Start: April 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: September 30, 2024
• Study Completion: November 30, 2024
• Last Updated: February 5, 2026
• Results First Posted: February 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

TU (1)