Family functioning and efficacy of a psychoeducation program in family members of pathological gamblers

Author(s)

Maria Helena Bernardi Mazzoleni

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2006-08-22

Examining board members

Clarice Gorenstein; Isabel Cristina Gomes; André Malbergier

• Advisor: Clarice Gorenstein

Abstract

The pathological gambler has been widely investigated in the literature and beyond recognizing the impact they have on family members, few studies have addressed the family itself. The majority of studies have been based exclusively on the professional experience of the authors, without employing suitable methods allowing comparison or generalizing of findings. The present studies aims to describe the structure of the family unit of pathological gamblers and analyze its functioning following intervention by a psychoeducation program. Family members that live together with pathological gambler that joined a treatment program were invited to the family evaluation. Assessments consisted of three stages. The first phase comprised an interview and application of the three Family Assessment Measure scales)(General Scale, Self-Rating Scale, Dyadic Scale) together with the Social Adjustment Scale. The brief version of the FAM was applied both before and after psychoeducation at the intermediate assessment. Finally, following a one to two- year interval, the families repeated the scales of the initial assessment. The gamblers were assessed using the brief version of the FAM. Intervention consisted of four psychoeducation sessions based on a specially developed manual for family members of pathologic gamblers, employing the underlying method of Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT). The initial sample (n = 91) reduced significantly after six months (n = 54), where only around a third took part in the final assessment (n = 30). The proportion of women present at sessions was markedly greater than men (> 70%), showing that women adhere more to intervention programs. The structure of pathologic gamblers’ families show the gambler tends to be the father (40.7%) or the mother (36.2%) in most cases. The majority of family members (83.5%) knew exactly when the gambling had commenced. The financial factor was mentioned by 55% of family members as representing the major problem caused by the gambling whilst relationships accounted for 34% of the sample. Both family member and gambler recognized the gambler as a patient. The family members considered family functioning to have been severely compromised, where most problematic issues proved to be Task accomplishment, Role performance, Control and Values and norms. The scores of the Social Adjustment Scale indicated poorer social adjustment in all areas but parental role for the pathological gamblers’ family in relation to normal subjects. Following psychoeducation program, family members presented no significant difference in the short term, whereas over the long term they showed a significant reduction on the Control scale. They also reported Values and norms of the gambler as having become acceptable, and described improvement in Economic adequacy. Although some positive results began to emerge after the psychoeducation program, this intervention did not prove sufficient to bring about a consistent change in family functioning. The informative nature of the psychoeducation may have contributed at times by minimizing stress, whilst in other areas it seems to have been unable to address the problems. (AU)