Thesis (M.Journ.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-46). Also available in print.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--The University of Memphis, 2005. / Major Professor: Andrew W. Meyers. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Brock University (Canada), 2004. / Adviser: Teena Willoughby. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2004. / Adviser: Ron Frisch. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Manitoba (Canada), 2004. / Adviser: Ruth Berry. Includes bibliographical references.

This study combined the use of a single case experimental design with replications with the use of a grounded theory approach in a study of treatment-seeking problem gamblers. The sample for the single case experimental design was a case series of nine men meeting DSM IV criteria (APA 1994) for pathological gambling. They primarily gambled in off-course bookmakers and on slot machines, and had self-reported histories of problem gambling of between four and eighteen years duration. A cognitive behavioural approach to treatment based on that of Sharpe and Tarrier (1993) was utilised. This treatment incorporated motivational interviewing, self-monitoring, stimulus control, cognitive restructuring, cue exposure and relapse prevention. The approach was ineffective for a majority of the clients, with drop-out prior to completion of treatment the outcome for six of the clients. The three clients who completed treatment all achieved clinically significant changes in gambling behaviour. Proposed links between depressed mood and gambling behaviour, and anxiety and gambling behaviour were not supported. The grounded theory approach was in two parts. The first study investigated the reported gambling experiences of treatment-seeking men who met DSM IV criteria (APA 1994) for pathological gambling. Clinical materials and session transcripts from the treatment study formed the initial material. A further four interviews with informants selected for theoretical sampling reasons provided provisional verification of the grounded theory. The grounded theory identified gambling as emotion management as the core category. The use of gambling for this purpose interacted with the costs of gambling and the individual's experience and perception of control of gambling to determine behaviour in the context of gambling related triggers. The second grounded theory study involved an analysis of the reported experiences of seven regular but non-problematic gamblers for confirmatory purposes. Similarities and differences between the problem and non-problem gamblers were identified. Three aspects of the reported experiences of the gamblers appeared to differentiate problematic and nonproblematic experiences. These were the extensive use of gambling to manage negative emotions, beliefs regarding winning money back and perception of control. The study addressed both theoretical and treatment issues in problem gambling. The proposal that arousal is a major motivating variable in gambling was supported (Anderson and Brown 1984). The proposal that the use of gambling to moderate negative emotional states is a feature of problem gambling (Jacobs 1985; McConaghy 1988) was supported. The view that misperception of randomness is a feature of problem gambling was supported (Ladouceur and Walker 1996). The importance of self-efficacy in efforts at moderating gambling (Bandura 1977) was supported. Clear benefits were identified of combining a single case experimental design with a grounded theory approach. The use of a grounded theory approach with a deviant sample for confirmatory purposes was also beneficial.

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Increased accessibility and availability of gambling opportunities around the world have contributed to more people having problems with gambling. Current gambling studies have focused on the etiology, prevalence and mechanism for the development of pathological gamblers with few studies examining the processes of change of pathological gamblers into non-gamblers. / Qualitative case analysis has been used in understanding the inner, personal and subjective changes of Chinese male pathological gamblers when concerning their process of change and their difficulties in regulating their gambling behaviour. Participant observations were conducted to collect background information about pathological gamblers and build up trustful relationships with potential respondents. Fourteen recovered gamblers or pathological gamblers have been interviewed. The researcher has utilized narrative analysis to explore the meaning of the narratives of the ex-gamblers and pathological gamblers about their relpases, their identity formation, the role of human agency and about how others have storied their lives into a meaningful configuration when facing their gambling problems. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / There has been a lack of qualitative studies to understand the narratives of Chinese male gamblers in accounting for their changes from gamblers to non-gamblers. In particular, no studies on Chinese male gamblers have examined the issue of relapses and how pathological gamblers manage relapses. / This study aims to understand the interpretations and narratives made by pathological gamblers during their change. This study will give insights on how Chinese male pathological gamblers are able to abstain from pathological gambling. As relapses are common among pathological gamblers, this study would like to understand why and how relapses occur. Further, the study would like to understand the factors that motivate and maintain changes. Also, it tries to understand how the identified factors of changes such as interpersonal support, the formation of a new identity and meaning of life, the role of spirituality on gamblers' motivation, their connection with family members, have interacted with one another to constitute change. / Leung, Yuk Ki. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 71-01, Section: A, page: 0334. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 300-323). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

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