Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Exploring the Relationship Between Treatment Satisfaction, Perceived Improvements in Functioning and Well-Being and Gambling Harm Reduction Among Clients of Pathological Gambling Treatment Programs

  • Brief Report
  • Published:
Community Mental Health Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between treatment service quality, perceived improvement in social, functional, and material well-being and reduction in gambling behaviors among clients of Nevada state-funded pathological gambling treatment programs. Utilizing survey data from 361 clients from 2009 to 2010, analyses revealed that client satisfaction with treatment services is positively associated with perceived improvements in social, functional, and material well-being, abstinence from gambling, reduction in gambling thoughts and reduction in problems associated with gambling, even after controlling for various respondent characteristics. These findings can be useful to treatment program staff in managing program development and allocating resources.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adamson, S. J., & Sellman, J. D. (2001). Drinking goal selection and treatment outcomes in out-patients with mild-moderate alcohol dependence. Drug and Alcohol Review, 20, 351–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anthony, W., Rogers, E. S., & Farkas, M. (2003). Research on evidence-based practices: Future directions in an era of recovery. Community Mental Health Journal, 39(2), 101–114.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berghofer, G., Castille, D. M., & Link, B. (2010). Evaluation of client services (ECS): A measure of treatment satisfaction for people with chronic mental illness. Community Mental Health Journal, 47, 399–407.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A. (2005). Conceptual and methodological issues in treatment outcome research. Journal of Gambling Studies, 25, 5–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A. P., Dulao, V., & Lange, M. (1997). How much do you spend gambling? Ambiguities in survey questionnaire items. Journal of Gambling Studies, 13, 237–252.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Booth, P. G., Dale, B., & Ansari, J. (1984). Problem drinking goal choice and treatment outcome: A preliminary study. Addictive Behaviors, 9, 357–364.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Booth, P. G., Dale, B., Slade, B. D., & Dewey, M. E. (1992). A follow-up study of problem drinkers offered a goal choice option. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 53, 594–600.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Breen, R. B., Zucerkman, N. G., & Walker, H. I. (2001). Cognitive changes in pathological gamblers following a 28-day inpatient program. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 15, 246–248.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, J. (1998). Consumerism, outcomes, and satisfaction: A review of the literature. In R. W. Manderscheid & M. J. Henderson (Eds.), Mental health, United States, 1998. Washington, DC: Center for Mental Health Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, M. J., & Gabriel, R. M. (2001). Patient satisfaction, use of services, and one-year outcomes in publicly funded substance abuse treatment. Psychiatric Services, 52, 1230–1236.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cho, H., & Kim, W. J. (2012). Racial differences in satisfaction with mental health services among victims of intimate partner violence. Community Mental Health Journal, 48, 84–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Damkot, D. K., Pandiani, J. A., & Gordon, L. R. (1983). Development, implementation and findings of a continuing client satisfaction survey. Community Mental Health Journal, 16, 265–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickerson, M., Hinchy, J., & England, S. L. (1990). Minimal treatments and problem gamblers: A preliminary investigation. Journal of Gambling Studies, 6, 87–101.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dickerson, M., McMillen, J., Hallebone, E., Volberg, R., & Wooley, R. (1997). Definition and incidence of problem gambling, including the socio-economic distribution of gamblers. Melbourne: Victoria Casino and Gambling Authority.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickerson, M. G., & Weeks, D. (1979). Controlled gambling as a therapeutic technique for compulsive gamblers. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 10, 139–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donovan, D. M., Kadden, R. M., DiClemente, C. C., & Carroll, K. M. (2002). Client satisfaction with three therapies in the treatment of alcohol dependence: Results from project MATCH. American Journal on Addictions, 11(4), 291–307.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, N., Smith, D., & Thomas, T. (2009). A preliminary investigation of abstinence and controlled gambling as self-selected goals of treatment for female pathological gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 29, 201–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Echeburua, E., Baez, C., & Fernandez-Montalvo, J. (1996). Comparative effectiveness of three therapeutic modalities in the psychological treatment of pathological gambling. Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 24, 51–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edlund, M. J., Young, A. S., Kung, F. Y., Sherbourne, C. D., & Wells, K. B. (2003). Does satisfaction reflect the technical quality of mental health care? Health Services Research, 38, 631–645.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gambino, B., Fitzgerald, R., & Shaffer, H. (1993). Perceived family history of problem gambling and scores on SOGS. Journal of Gambling Studies, 9, 169–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ganju, V. (1999). The MHSIP consumer survey. Arlington, VA: National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganju, V., Beall, M. A., Callahan, N., Dailey, W., Dumont Hornik, J. A., Johnson, J. R., et al. (1996). The MHSIP consumer-oriented mental health report card. Washington, DC: Center for Mental Health Services (SAMHSA DHHS).

    Google Scholar 

  • Garland, A. F., Aarons, G. A., Hawley, K. M., & Hough, R. L. (2003). Relationship of youth satisfaction with mental health services and changes in symptoms and functioning. Psychiatric Services, 54, 1544–1546.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garland, A. F., Haine, R. A., & Boxmeyer, C. L. (2007). Determinates of youth and parent satisfaction in usual care psychotherapy. Evaluation and Program Planning, 21, 31–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerber, J. G., & Prince, P. N. (1999). Measuring client satisfaction with assertive community treatment. Psychiatric Services, 50, 546–550.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gomes, K., & Pascual-Leone, A. (2009). Primed for change: Facilitating factors in problem gambling treatment. Journal of Gambling Studies, 25, 1–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenfield, T. X., & Attkisson, C. C. (1989). Steps toward a multifactorial satisfaction scale for primary care and mental health services. Evaluation and Program Planning, 12, 271–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herman, S. E. (1997). Exploring the link between service quality and outcomes: Parents’ assessment of family support programs. Evaluation Review, 21, 388–404.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgins, D. C., Currie, S. R., & el-Guebaly, N. (2001). Motivational enhancement and self-help treatments for problem gambling. Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, 69, 50–57.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgins, D. C., & Makarchuk, K. (2003). Trusting problem gamblers: Reliability and validity of self-reported gambling behavior. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 17, 244–248.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgins, D. C., Peden, N., & Cassidy, E. (2005). The association between comorbidity and outcome in pathological gambling: A prospective follow-up of recent quitters. Journal of Gambling Studies, 21, 255–271.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holcomb, W. R., Parker, J. C., & Leong, G. B. (1997). Outcomes of inpatients treated on a VA psychiatric unit and a substance abuse treatment unit. Psychiatric Services, 48, 669–704.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holcomb, W. R., Parker, J. C., Leong, G. B., Thiele, J., & Higdon, J. (1998). Customer satisfaction and self-reported treatment outcomes among psychiatric inpatients. Psychiatric Services, 49, 929–934.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, P. B., El-Mallakh, P., Rayens, M. K., & Clark, J. J. (2003). Consumer perspectives on quality of inpatient mental health services. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 17, 205–217.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jerrell, J. M. (2006). Psychometrics of the MHSIP adult consumer survey. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 33, 483–488.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalman, T. P. (1983). An overview of patient satisfaction with psychiatric treatment. Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 34, 48–54.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kessler, R. C., & Mroczek, K. (1995). Measuring the effects of medical interventions. Medical Care, 33, 109–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R. (2005). Controlled gambling for pathological gamblers. Journal of Gambling Studies, 21, 51–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsen, D., Attkisson, C., Hargreaves, W., & Nguyen, T. (1979). Assessment of client/patient satisfaction: Development of a general scale. Evaluation and Program Planning, 2, 197–207.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leavey, G., King, M., Cole, E., Hoar, A., & Johnson-Sabine, E. (1997). First-onset psychotic illness: Patients’ and relatives’ satisfaction with services. British Journal of Psychiatry, 170, 53–57.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H. R. (1988). Report on pathological gambling in New Jersey. In Report and Recommendations of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Gambling (pp. 103-165). Trenton, NJ: Governor’s Advisory Commission on Gambling. https://dspace.njstatelib.org/xmlui/handle/10929/24007. Accessed 9 June 2013.

  • Lesieur, H. R., & Blume, S. B. (1990). Characteristics of pathological gamblers identified among patients on a psychiatric admissions service. Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 41, 1009–1012.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H. R., & Rosenthal, R. J. (1991). Pathological gambling: A review of the literature. Journal of Gambling Studies, 7, 5–39.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linden, R. D., Pope, H. G., & Jonas, J. M. (1986). Pathological gambling and major affective disorder: Preliminary findings. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 47, 201–203.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz, V. C., & Yaffee, R. A. (1986). Pathological gambling: Psychosomatic, emotional and marital difficulties as reported by the gambler. Journal of Gambling Behavior, 2, 40–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Love, R. E., Caid, C. D., & Davis, A. (1979). The user satisfaction survey: Consumer evaluation of an inner city community health center. Evaluation and the Health Professions, 1, 42–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mental Health Statistics Improvement Program (MHSIP) Task Force. (1996). The MHSIP consumer-oriented mental health report card: The final report of the MHSIP Task Force on a consumer-oriented mental health report card. Rockville, MD: Center for Mental Health Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercier, C., Landry, M., Corbiere, M., & Perreault, M. (2004). Measuring clients’ perceptions as outcome measurement. In A. R. Robert & K. R. Yeager (Eds.), Evidence-based practice manual: Research and outcome measures in health and human services (pp. 904–909). London: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meredith, L. S., Orlando, M., Humphrey, N., Camp, P., & Sherbourne, C. D. (2001). Are better ratings of the patient-provider relationship associated with higher quality care for depression? Medical Care, 39, 349–360.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Minsky, J., Riesser, G., & Duffy, M. (1995). The eye of the beholder: Housing preferences of inpatients and their treatment teams. Psychiatric Services, 46, 173–176.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mobilia, P. (1993). Gambling as a rational addiction. Journal of Gambling Studies, 9, 121–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monnat, S.M. (2008). Predictors of mental health consumer outcomes: A sociodemographic analysis. In Proceedings from the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Sociological Society. New York, NY.

  • Nathan, P. (2005). Methodological problems in research on treatments for pathological gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 21, 111–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nie, N. H., Hull, C. H., Jenkins, J. G., Steinbrenner, K., & Bent, D. H. (1975). Statistical package for the social sciences (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ojehagen, A., & Berglund, M. (1989). Changes of drinking goals in a two-year out-patient alcoholic treatment program. Addictive Behaviors, 14, 1–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Orford, J., & Keddie, A. (1986). Abstinence or controlled drinking in clinical practice: A test of dependence and persuasion hypothesis. British Journal of Addictions, 51, 495–504.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palleson, S., Mitsem, M., Kvale, G., Johnsen, B. H., & Molde, H. (2005). Outcome of psychological treatments of pathological gambling: A review and meta-analysis. Addiction, 100, 1412–1422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pascoe, G. C. (1983). Patient satisfaction in primary health care: A literature review and analysis. Evaluation and Program Planning, 6, 299–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perreault, M., Katerelos, T. E., Sabourin, S., Leichner, P., & Desmarais, J. (2001). Information as a distinct dimension for satisfaction assessment of outpatient psychiatric services. International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, 14, 111–120.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perreault, M., Leichner, P., Sabourin, S., & Gendreau, P. (1993). Patient satisfaction with outpatient psychiatric services: Qualitative and quantitative assessments. Evaluation and Program Planning, 16, 109–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perreault, M., White, N. D., Fabres, E., Landry, M., Anestin, A. S., & Robouin, D. (2010). Relationship between perceived improvement and treatment satisfaction among clients of a methadone maintenance program. Evaluation and Program Planning, 33, 410–417.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petry, N. (2005a). Pathological gambling: Etiology, comorbidity and treatment. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petry, N. (2005b). Gamblers anonymous and cognitive-behavioral therapies for pathological gamblers. Journal of Gambling Studies, 21, 27–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petry, N. M., Ammerman, Y., Bohl, J., Doersch, A., Gay, H., Kadden, R., et al. (2006). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for pathological gamblers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74, 555–567.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Raaijmakers, Q. A. W. (1999). Effectiveness of different missing data treatments in surveys with Likert-type data: Introducing the relative mean substitution approach. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 59, 725–748.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rankin, H. (1982). Control rather than abstinence as a goal in the treatment of excessive gambling. Behavior Research and Therapy, 20, 185–187.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robson, E., Edwards, J., Smith, G., & Colman, I. (2002). Gambling decisions: An early intervention program for problem gamblers. Journal of Gambling Studies, 18, 235–255.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosecrance, J. (1989). Controlled gambling: A promising future. In H. J. Shaffer, S. A. Stein, B. Gambino, & T. N. Cumming (Eds.), Compulsive gambling: theory, research, and practice (pp. 147–160). Lexington, MA: Lexington Books/D/C/Health and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruggeri, M., & Dall’Agnola, R. (1993). The development and use of the Verona Expectations and Care Scale (VECS) and the Verona Service Satisfaction Scale (VSSS) for measuring expectations and satisfaction with community based psychiatric services in patients, relatives and professionals. Psychological Medicine, 23, 511–523.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez-Craig, M., & Lei, H. (1986). Disadvantages of imposing the goal of abstinence on problem drinkers: An empirical study. British Journal of Addiction, 81, 505–512.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, H. J., Hall, M. N., & van der Bilt, J. (1997). Estimating the prevalence of disordered gambling behavior in the United States and Canada: A meta-analysis. Boston: Harvard Medical School Division on Addictions.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, H. J., LaBrie, R. A., LaPlante, D. A., Kidman, R. C., & Donato, A. N. (2005). The Iowa gambling treatment program: Treatment outcomes for a follow-up sample. Journal of Gambling Studies, 21, 61–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sowers, W. (2005). Transforming systems of care: The American association of community psychiatrists guidelines for recovery oriented services. Community Mental Health Journal, 41, 757–774.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sylvain, C., Ladouceur, R. L., & Boisvert, J. M. (1997). Cognitive and behavioral treatment of pathological gambling: A controlled study. Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, 65, 727–732.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tanner, B. A. (1982). A multi-dimensional client satisfaction instrument. Evaluation and Program Planning, 5, 161–167.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Teague, G. B., Ganju, V., Hornik, J. A., Johnson, J. R., & McKinney, J. (1997). The MHSIP mental health report card: A consumer-oriented approach to monitoring the quality of mental health plans. Evaluation Review, 21, 330–341.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Toneatto, T., & Dragonetti, R. (2008). Effectiveness of community-based treatment for problem gambling: A quasi-experimental evaluation of Cognitive-Behavioral vs. Twelve-Step Therapy. The American Journal on Addictions, 17, 298–303.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Toneatto, T., & Ladouceur, R. (2003). Treatment of pathological gambling: A critical review of the literature. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 17, 284–292.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turchik, J. A., Karoenko, V., Ogles, B. M., Demireva, P., & Probst, D. R. (2010). Parent and adolescent satisfaction with mental health services: Does it relate to youth diagnosis, age, gender, or treatment outcome? Community Mental Health Journal, 46, 282–288.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, M. B. (1992). The psychology of gambling. Oxford: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, M. B. (1993). Treatment strategies for problem gambling: A review of effectiveness. In W. R. Eadington & J. A. Cornelius (Eds.), Gambling behavior and problem gambling (pp. 533–566). Reno. NV: Institute for the Student of Gambling and Commercial Gaming.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, M. B. (2005). Problems in measuring the effectiveness of cognitive therapy for pathological gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 21, 81–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, M., Toneatto, T., Potenza, M. N., Petry, N., Ladouceur, R., Hodgins, D. C., et al. (2006). A framework for reporting outcomes in problem gambling treatment research: The Banff, Alberta Consensus. Addiction, 101, 504–511.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Z., Gerstein, D. R., & Friedmann, P. D. (2008). Patient satisfaction and sustained outcomes of drug abuse treatment. Journal of Health Psychology, 13(3), 388–400.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This project was funded through the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. The authors would like to thank Tim Christenson, Jeffrey Marotta, Tim Fong, Adrienne Marco, Juan Ramirez, Paul Potter, and Keith Whyte for providing feedback on problem gambling measurement. We would also like to thank Edward W. Crossman, Jeff Kimmelman, Jason Pinegar, Giorgina Agrellas, Ellen King-McDaniel, and Eva Perez for assisting with data collection and other project activities.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education, Population Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, Armsby Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Shannon M. Monnat

  2. William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration and International Gaming Institute, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 456037, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA

    Bo Bernhard & Brett L. L. Abarbanel

  3. Department of Sociology and International Gaming Institute, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 456037, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA

    Sarah St. John

  4. International Gaming Institute, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 456037, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA

    Ashlee Kalina

Authors
  1. Shannon M. Monnat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bo Bernhard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Brett L. L. Abarbanel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sarah St. John
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ashlee Kalina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shannon M. Monnat.

Additional information

Shannon M. Monnat and Bo Bernhard are co-lead authors. They have equally contributed to this manuscript.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Monnat, S.M., Bernhard, B., Abarbanel, B.L.L. et al. Exploring the Relationship Between Treatment Satisfaction, Perceived Improvements in Functioning and Well-Being and Gambling Harm Reduction Among Clients of Pathological Gambling Treatment Programs. Community Ment Health J 50, 688–696 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9635-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9635-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation