Efficacy of Brief Motivational Interviewing Intervention for Treating Gambling Disorder among University Students in Kenya: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The study sought to establish the efficacy of Brief Motivational Interviewing Intervention (BMII) for treating gambling disorder among university students in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to determine the efficacy of BMII in decreasing: gambling disorder symptoms; frequency of gambling; and typical amount of money placed per bet. The research design used was a parallel group, two arm, superiority randomized control trial. The study targeted university students who gamble. A total of 228 students participated in the study. The results revealed that BMII was efficacious in decreasing gambling disorder symptoms at p<.05 (MD=-1.733, t (100) = -7.087, p<.000); frequency of gambling at p<.05, (MD= -.683, t (100) = -6.072, p=.000); and typical amount placed per bet at p<.05 (MD=-.455; t (100) = -3.294, p=.001). The intervention is recommended as an evidence-based intervention that can be utilised in gambling disorder treatment.