Browsing by Author "Bellringer, Maria E."

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    Improved Client Outcome Services Project: An Intervention with Non-Benefiting Clients of Problem Gambling Treatment
    (eCOMMUNITY: International Journal of Mental Health & Addiction, 2005-06-06) Mintoft, Bridget; Bellringer, Maria E.; Orme, Cynthia
    A recent review of psychological and pharmacological treatments for pathological gambling revealed a paucity of evidence for their effectiveness (Oakley-Browne, Adams, & Mobberley, 2000). Data from a national client database in New Zealand suggest that up to a quarter of clients (depending on the measure used) have not benefited from treatment (Paton-Simpson, Gruys, & Hannifin, 2003). Clearly, there is a need for a treatment program to address the particular requirements of this group. This paper documents the development and piloting of a multimodal program for clients who have not previously benefited from program-gambling treatments. The program employed a composite approach of education and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. To the authors’ knowledge, there is no published evaluative research on the use of this approach with problem gamblers. The intervention was trialled in three treatment centres within New Zealand. Results indicate that the intervention positively affected several measures of gambling behaviour and self-reported well-being
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    Pacific Islands Families: The First Two Years of Life: Gambling Amongst Pacific Mothers
    (eCOMMUNITY: International Journal of Mental Health & Addiction, 2005-06-06) Bellringer, Maria E.; Cowley-Malcolm, Esther T.; Abbott, Max W.; Williams, Maynard M.
    Pacific peoples in New Zealand are at high risk of developing gambling-related problems; estimated to be six times more likely than the risk for New Zealand Europeans. However, there is a paucity of research investigating Pacific people’s gambling within a New Zealand context. This paper presents preliminary data, from the first data collection point, about gambling activity per se (as opposed to problem gambling) from a cohort of mothers who are part of the longitudinal Pacific Islands Families study. The data are analysed against various associated demographic and cultural variables. These early results indicate that cultural differences could play a part in gambling behaviour, for example, Tongans are more likely to gamble than Samoans, and those who partake in traditional gift giving customs are also more likely to gamble. Additionally, the data show an increased propensity for gambling amongst those with comorbid disorders, such as alcohol misuse.