This study evaluated the influence of 12-month affective and
anxiety disorders on treatment outcomes for adult problem gamblers in routine cognitive-behavioural
therapy. A cohort study at a state-wide
gambling therapy service in South Australia. Primary outcome measure was rated by participants using victorian
gambling screen (VGS) 'harm to self' sub-scale with validated cut score 21+ (score range 0-60) indicative of problem
gambling behaviour. Secondary outcome measure was Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS). Independent variable was severity of affective and
anxiety disorders based on Kessler 10 scale. We used propensity score adjusted random-effects models to estimate treatment outcomes for sub-populations of individuals from baseline to 12 month follow-up. Between July, 2010 and December, 2012, 380 participants were eligible for inclusion in the final analysis. Mean age was 44.1 (SD = 13.6) years and 211 (56%) were males. At baseline, 353 (92.9%) were diagnosed with a
gambling disorder using VGS. For exposure, 175 (46%) had a very high probability of a 12-month affective or
anxiety disorder, 103 (27%) in the high range and 102 (27%) in the low to moderate range. For the main analysis, individuals experienced similar clinically significant reductions (improvement) in
gambling related outcomes across time (p < 0.001). Individuals with co-varying patterns of problem
gambling and 12 month affective and
anxiety disorders who present to a
gambling help service for treatment in metropolitan South Australia gain similar significant reductions in
gambling behaviours from routine cognitive-behavioural
therapy in the mid-term.