Evaluation of a School-Based Gambling Prevention Program for Adolescents: Efficacy of Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Abstract

The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the concept of negative anticipated emotions (NAEs) have attracted research attention in the formulation of effective preventive interventions. This approach has identified several key constructs of the TPB (i.e., intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, perceptions of behavioural control) and NAEs as valid predictors of gambling behaviours and problems. However, no empirical investigation has used these constructs in the design or evaluation of a preventive intervention for adolescent problem gambling. The current research aimed to assess the efficacy of targeting NAEs and key TPB constructs in a prevention video for modifying gambling beliefs, intentions, and behaviours. A sample of 280 high school students were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control condition. Participants were assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Results reveal that the video was not effective in producing desired changes in NAEs, the key constructs of the TPB, or the frequency of gambling behaviour. The findings suggest that the video, delivered as a universal preventive intervention, may be insufficient for modifying NAEs and other TPB key constructs, or for changing gambling behaviours.Keywords: adolescents, problem gambling, prevention, theory of planned behaviour (TPB), negative anticipated emotions, narrative communication RésuméPour la formulation d'interventions préventives efficaces, l'attention de chercheurs s'est portée sur la théorie du comportement planifié et le concept d'émotions néga-tives anticipées. Cette approche a permis de relever plusieurs constructions clés de la

What is known about population level programs designed to address gambling-related harm: rapid review of the evidence

“…Recommendations suggested that prevention strategies address mindware problems as they can be considered predictors of gambling-related cognitive distortions. St-Pierre et al, (2017) examined the impact of targeting Negative Anticipatory Emotions and key Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB [ 38 ]) constructs in modification of gambling beliefs, intentions and behaviours in an adolescent gambling tool—the Clean Break video [ 32 ]. Results indicated a small but statistically significant increase in positive gambling attitudes and positive peer and family subjective norms at post-intervention and follow up, where positive is indicative of anti-gambling.…”

The unappreciated relevance of auxiliary assumptions for evaluating theory-based interventions in health psychology

“…However, the theory has demonstrated mixed success in terms of change. Some interventions adopting the theory have demonstrated change (e.g., Anderson et al, 2005;Armitage & Talibudeen, 2010;Norman et al, 2018;White et al, 2010) whereas others have not (e.g., Sniehotta, 2009;St-Pierre et al, 2017;Williams et al, 2015). A metaanalytic synthesis conducted by Steinmetz et al (2016) found effect sizes of 0.34 and 0.50 for interventions in changing intention and behavior, respectively.…”

A reasoned action approach to gambling behavior

“…However, without identifying the specific behavioral beliefs underlying attitude, it is not clear what specifically interventions should target. An intervention targeting adolescent gambling conducted by St-Pierre et al (2017) targeted behavioral, normative, and control beliefs. However, the intervention, which was unsuccessful in changing psychological determinants and gambling behavior, only targeted beliefs commonly associated with gambling.…”