PREDICTORS OF THERAPEUTIC FAILURE IN SLOT-MACHINE PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLERS FOLLOWING BEHAVIOURAL TREATMENT

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to determine the features of pathological gamblers who dropped out of the treatment or relapsed within a one year follow-up period. The sample consisted of 69 patients selected according to DSM-IV criteria. Results indicated that the only difference between the patients who dropped out of treatment and the ones who completed was the level of state-anxiety. The former were more anxious than the latter. Predictive variables for the therapeutic failure were the dissatisfaction with the treatment, the high level of alcohol consumption, and the neuroticism as a personality variable. Implications of the study for clinical practice and future research in this field are commented upon.