The General Acceptability and Use of Smartphone App-Delivered Interventions for Gambling in Australia
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Journal Article
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Springer
Abstract
Smartphones can extend the reach of evidence-based gambling treatment services, yet the general acceptability of app-delivered gambling interventions remains unknown. This study examined the general acceptability and use of app-delivered gambling interventions, and predictors of both, among 173 Australian adults with a lifetime gambling problem (48.5% male, Mage = 46.4 years) recruited from an online panel. Overall, 55.5% of the sample had a positive attitude toward app-delivered gambling interventions, 8.1% had a neutral attitude, and 36.4% had a negative attitude. Furthermore, one in five participants (20.8%) reported using an app-delivered gambling intervention in their lifetime. Four dimensions of acceptability were examined, wherein 78.6% of participants endorsed confidence in the effectiveness of app-delivered gambling interventions and 66.5% perceived anonymity benefits, while 48.6% endorsed scepticism (e.g., potential to increase isolation) and 69.4% perceived technology-related threats (e.g., difficulty learning and applying app-based strategies). Positive predictors of acceptability and use included younger age, rural/regional residence, gambling expenditure, problem gambling severity, gambling harms, and use of professional support. Acceptability did not increase the likelihood of using app-delivered gambling interventions, however, which may suggest a translation gap. The findings support continued investment into the development and evaluation of app-delivered gambling interventions, with a focus on enhancing engagement and uptake. Uptake could be improved by promoting the effectiveness and anonymity of evidence-based app-delivered gambling interventions, particularly among receptive audiences (young people, rural/regional residents, those with greater problem gambling severity), while redressing scepticism and perceived technology-related threats among vulnerable subgroups (those with greater gambling expenditure and gambling-related harm).Description
Keywords
Acceptability, App, Gambling, Internet, Intervention, Smartphone, Acceptability, App, Gambling, Internet, Intervention, Smartphone, 5203 Clinical and Health Psychology, 5205 Social and Personality Psychology, 52 Psychology, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials and Supportive Activities, 3.1 Primary prevention interventions to modify behaviours or promote wellbeing, 1506 Tourism, 1608 Sociology, 1701 Psychology, Substance Abuse, 5203 Clinical and health psychology, 5205 Social and personality psychology
Source
Journal of Gambling Studies, ISSN: 1050-5350 (Print); 1573-3602 (Online), Springer, 41(2), 593-613. doi: 10.1007/s10899-024-10373-9
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