GamblingLess: Curb Your Urge: Development and usability testing of a smartphone-delivered ecological momentary intervention for problem gambling

ABSTRACT

Smartphone apps are suitable for delivering mental health treatment in real-time. This study aimed to develop and test the usability of one of the first smartphone app-delivered ecological momentary interventions for gambling (GamblingLess: Curb Your Urge), with key Australian stakeholders (ten consumers, nine gambling clinicians, and ten gambling researchers). Based on relapse prevention principles, the intervention comprised 10 activities to curb cravings, which were recommended to participants based on ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) of gambling cravings. Participants tested the usability of the intervention over one-week and reported on the content’s helpfulness, the EMA’s relevance/burden, the Mobile App Rating Scale, and open-ended items assessing content and functionality. The intervention content, helpfulness, and usability were rated highly in quantitative and qualitative assessments. Participants liked practical and instructive content, but suggested that the intervention could be more engaging, interactive, and varied, and the number of EMA questions per timepoint could be reduced. These preliminary findings were promising for the intervention’s acceptability and usability. All groups indicated that they would recommend this app, as it could increase knowledge, attitudes, awareness, behavior change, intention to change, and help-seeking for gambling cravings. Further research is required to refine the intervention and examine its effectiveness with gamblers.

KEYWORDS:

• Gambling
• craving
• urge
• smartphones
• self-help
• intervention

Constraints on Publishing

The authors have no constraints on published to declare in relation to this article.

Competing Interests

The authors have no competing interests to declare in relation to this article. Over the past 3 years, SM, SR, GY, and ND have received funding from multiple sources, including government departments and the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (through hypothecated taxes from gambling revenue), as well as the NAGS, a not-for-profit organisation with individual members across all stakeholder groups, which derives its funding from member fees and conference proceeds. SM has been the Victorian state representative (unpaid) on the NAGS Executive Committee, which includes representatives from all stakeholder groups. None of the authors have knowingly received research funding from the gambling industry or any industry-sponsored organization. Please note that SR is RAE of IGS but was blinded from the peer review process.

Additional information

Funding

This study was partially funded by the National Association for Gambling Studies (NAGS) under an Annual Research Grant. The funding body were not involved in the research design, methodology, conduct, analysis, or write-up.

Notes on contributors

Stephanie S. Merkouris

Stephanie S. Merkouris is a Lecturer at Deakin University (School of Psychology). Dr Merkouris’ main research interests relate to the prospective examination of factors associated with gambling problems and treatment outcomes, and the development and evaluation of e-health and m-health interventions for gambling.

Chloe O. Hawker

Chloe O. Hawker is a Provisional Psychologist and Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) Candidate at Deakin University. She is currently involved in a research program focused on the development and evaluation of an m-health intervention for problem gambling.

Simone N. Rodda

Simone N. Rodda Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland in New Zealand (School of Population Health) and an Honorary Fellow at Deakin University. She is currently involved in multiple investigations involving internet-delivered self-help and brief interventions for problem gambling. [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0002-7973-1003.

George J. Youssef

George J. Youssef is a cognitive neuropsychologist, biostatistician, and Senior Lecturer at Deakin University (School of Psychology) with expertise in the design and analysis of longitudinal studies of socioemotional and neurocognitive development, spanning childhood through to adulthood. His personal research interests are focused on understanding the phenomenology of exploratory behaviors in young people, including how engaging in these behaviors can promote healthy transition into adulthood.

Nicki A. Dowling

Nicki A. Dowling an Associate Professor of Psychology at Deakin University (School of Psychology), with an honorary position as Principal Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. She is a clinical psychologist with considerable experience in the treatment of people with gambling problems and their affected others. She conducts clinically-oriented gambling research, with expertise in the identification, prevention, and treatment of gambling-related harm for gamblers and their affected others.