GREO Research Snapshot: Exploring people’s experiences of social norms and goal setting interventions to support safer gambling
Authors: Bush-Evans, R., Arden-Close, E., Thomas, S., McAlaney, J., Wang, R., Bolat, E., Hodge, S. and Phalp, K.
Publisher: GREO
Abstract:This study aimed to examine how feasible and acceptable online social norms and goal setting interventions were in promoting safer gambling. The researchers recruited participants from the EROGamb 2.0 feasibility trial. Participants were adults who gambled at least monthly and had a score of less than 8 on the Problem Gambling Severity Index. They were randomly assigned to one of four groups: goal setting, descriptive social norms, injunctive social norms, or control.
The researchers interviewed 36 participants, including 10 from each of the intervention groups and 6 from the control group. Motivations for joining the trial included interest in the topic, altruism, and financial incentives. Overall, participants felt that the trial ran smoothly. They thought that the questionnaires were interesting and encouraged reflection on gambling behaviours. Most participants in the social norms groups found the information shared through the messages interesting and aligned with their expectations. However, some questioned the statistics presented. Participants in the goal setting group mostly found the information helpful. Some felt that they learned more about their own gambling habits. Others saw no need to change their behaviour or attitudes towards gambling.
Source: Manual