Client characteristics associated with treatment attrition and outcome in female pathological gambling

The current study was an exploratory investigation of client factors associated with treatment attrition and failure 6 months following treatment by female pathological gamblers. The sample comprised 77 females attending a cognitive-behavioural treatment program for pathological gambling. Participants were compared on selected client factors that have been traditionally associated with attrition and outcome in the alcohol and substance dependence literature. The results indicate that although treatment dropouts and completers did not differ on any client factor, participants displaying uncontrolled treatment outcomes reported significantly more severe gambling behaviour than participants achieving abstinent or controlled treatment outcomes. Clinicians can respond to these indicators of higher risk of treatment failure by increasing the emphasis of relapse prevention approaches in pathological gambling interventions.