Help or harm? Assessing positive and unwanted effects of a self-guided internet-based intervention for gambling...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Self-guided internet-based interventions are effective for gambling disorder.
• Research on negative side effects of these interventions is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate unintended positive and negative effects of the 'Restart' internet-based intervention.
• To assess user experiences with a self-guided digital tool for gambling problems.

Main Methods:

• 94 participants with gambling problems used the 'Restart' intervention for six weeks.
• The Positive and Negative Effects of Psychotherapy Scale for Internet-Based Intervention (PANEPS-I) was used to evaluate effects.

Main Results:

• Positive effects (e.g., increased self-efficacy) were more frequent than negative effects.
• Significant proportions reported side effects (23.9%), malpractice (38.6%), and unethical procedures (21.5%).
• Unwanted effects included stigmatization, pressure, and overly directive program perceptions.

Conclusions:

• Internet-based interventions are valuable for those avoiding traditional therapy.
• Refinement is needed to address user needs and minimize adverse outcomes.
• Future research should explore personalized support and content adaptations.