Abstract
Problem gambling (PG) affects millions of people worldwide and is associated with substantial
mental, physical, relationship and financial harms. However, due to a fundamental lack of
research – with some suggesting the field is 20-30 years behind other addiction research –
problem gambling is not properly understood and there remains no clear pathway to treatment.
Furthermore, little is known about how gamblers experience the different interventions available.
Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is the most widely available form of support, though little is known
about the efficacy of the programme, the experience of its members or the social processes
underlying it. This thesis aimed to address this gap in the literature through two qualitative and
two quantitative studies. Firstly, study 1 used a qualitative design (N=10) to explore gamblers’
experiences of problem gambling interventions. The results indicated that participants preferred
Gamblers Anonymous to other interventions including either group or one to one CBT due to the
positive social aspects and because it was led by gamblers who were perceived to be ‘the
experts’. Next, study 2 used a qualitative design (N=21) to explore GA members experiences of
attending meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that the online
meetings provided a salvation during this time, but were not able to sufficiently replicate feelings
of connection associated with physical presence. This resulted in members behaving more
individualistically and less collectively than in face-to-face meetings. Study 3 was an
experimental vignette-based questionnaire study (N=249) which explored the impact of meeting
format on participants’ experiences of online GA meetings. Specifically, the study evaluated the
impact of having the screen on or off and found that camera use had no significant effect on the
therapeutic or social elements of online GA meetings, nor on group identification or quality of
life. Finally, study 4 was a cross-sectional questionnaire study which explored the role of social
support in problem gambling recovery, finding that belonging and being a member of GA
predicted lower gambling urges whilst higher social support predicted better quality of life.
Overall, the findings of these studies suggest that GA is the preferred treatment for problem
gambling which provides social support and a sense of belonging to its members, and that both
these elements of social connection predict differing elements of recovery.