Open AccessDoes Confinement Affect Treatment Dropout Rates in Patients With Gambling Disorder? A Nine-Month Observational Study
Author(s) -
Isabel Baenas,
Mikel Etxandi,
Ester Codina,
Roser Granero,
Fernando FernándezAranda,
Mónica Goméz-Peña,
Laura Moragas,
Sandra Rivas,
Marc N. Potenza,
Anders Håkansson,
Amparo del Pino-Gutiérrez,
Bernat Mora-Maltas,
Eduardo ValencianoMendoza,
José M. Menchón,
Susana JiménezMurcia
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
frontiers in psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.947
H-Index - 110
ISSN - 1664-1078
DOI - 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.761802
Subject(s) - observational study , anxiety , psychology , dropout (neural networks) , adverse effect , addiction , clinical practice , psychiatry , medicine , clinical psychology , physical therapy , machine learning , computer science
Background and Aims: COVID-19 pandemic and confinement have represented a challenge for patients with gambling disorder (GD). Regarding treatment outcome, dropout may have been influenced by these adverse circumstances. The aims of this study were: (a) to analyze treatment dropout rates in patients with GD throughout two periods: during and after the lockdown and (b) to assess clinical features that could represent vulnerability factors for treatment dropout. Methods: The sample consisted of n =86 adults, mostly men ( n =79, 91.9%) and with a mean age of 45years old ( SD =16.85). Patients were diagnosed with GD according to DSM-5 criteria and were undergoing therapy at a Behavioral Addiction Unit when confinement started. Clinical data were collected through a semi-structured interview and protocolized psychometric assessment. A brief telephone survey related to COVID-19 concerns was also administered at the beginning of the lockdown. Dropout data were evaluated at two moments throughout a nine-month observational period (T1: during the lockdown, and T2: after the lockdown). Results: The risk of dropout during the complete observational period was R =32/86=0.372 (37.2%), the Incidence Density Rate ( IDR ) ratio T2/T1 being equal to 0.052/0.033=1.60 ( p =0.252). Shorter treatment duration ( p =0.007), lower anxiety ( p =0.025), depressive symptoms ( p =0.045) and lower use of adaptive coping strategies ( p =0.046) characterized patients who abandoned treatment during the lockdown. Briefer duration of treatment ( p =0.001) and higher employment concerns ( p =0.044) were highlighted in the individuals who dropped out after the lockdown. Treatment duration was a predictor of dropout in both periods ( p =0.005 and p <0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The present results suggest an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment dropout among patients with GD during and after the lockdown, being treatment duration a predictor of dropout. Assessing vulnerability features in GD may help clinicians identify high-risk individuals and enhance prevention and treatment approaches in future similar situations.