N/A
N=26
The Effect of Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Gambling Disorder
Gambling Addiction · Gambling Disorder · Gambling Disorder Treatment · Stigma · Stigma of Mental Illness
Bottom Line
View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06943963 ↗Enrolled (actual)
26
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Feb 2026
Primary outcome: Primary: Change in Self-Stigmatization Score as Measured by the Self-Stigma Scale (SSS). Baseline (Week 0) to Post-treatment (Week 4) and Follow-up (Week 8) — 82.77; 110.3; 80.38; 105.92 Self Stigma Scale Scores — p=<0.05
Study Design & Population
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- N/A
- Interventions
- Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Gambling Disorder (Behavioral); standart pharmacotherapy (Drug); motivational intervention (Behavioral)
- Age
- Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
- Sex
- All
- Sponsor
- Ege University
- Primary completion
- Sep 2024
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Change in Self-Stigmatization Score as Measured by the Self-Stigma Scale (SSS). Baseline (Week 0) to Post-treatment (Week 4) and Follow-up (Week 8) |
82.77; 110.3; 80.38; 105.92 | <0.05 sig |
| PRIMARY Change in Gambling Severity Score as Measured by the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Baseline (Week 0) to Post-treatment (Week 4) and Follow-up (Week 8) |
3.77; 7.38; 4.46; 5.31 | <0.05 sig |
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial was to evaluate whether a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program focused on self-stigma could help reduce both self-stigma and gambling disorder severity in adults diagnosed with gambling disorder.
The main questions it aimed to answer were:
Did self-stigma-focused CBT lower self-stigmatizing thoughts in individuals with gambling disorder? Did the severity of gambling disorder symptoms decrease after the intervention? Did these changes remain stable after the treatment ended? Did self-stigma play a role in how the treatment worked? Participants were assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Completed assessments before the treatment, after the treatment, and during the 1 month follow-up period.
Participants in the intervention group:
Received four sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (face-to-face or online) targeting self-stigmatizing thoughts related to gambling Researchers compared the intervention and control groups to observe whether self-stigmatization affected treatment outcomes. Surveys used in this study included a self-stigma scale and the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS).
A total of 26 participants (13 in each group) were enrolled in the study; in addition, 3 extra participants per group were included to account for possible dropouts.
The results were analyzed using statistical methods.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Meeting the diagnostic criteria for Gambling Disorder (GD) according to the DSM-5:
- Currently receiving or having completed the standard treatment provided at the outpatient clinic.
- Scoring 72 or above on the Self Stigma Scale.
- Being between 18 and 65 years old.
Exclusion Criteria
- "Intellectual Disability" classified under neurodevelopmental disorders.
- "Communication Disorders" resulting from neurodevelopmental disorders or another medical condition.
- Based on clinical interviews and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria:
- "Bipolar and Related Disorders" with psychotic features.
- "Depressive Disorders" with psychotic features.
- "Dissociative Disorders" such as depersonalization, derealization, or identity disruption.
- Any disorder classified under "Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders," including schizophrenia, schizotypal personality disorder, and schizoaffective disorder.
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06943963). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.