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"I'm the same as you" : the experiences of CBT for problem gambling in South Asian men : an interpretative phenomenological analysis

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Dandgey, Sheetal (2018) "I'm the same as you" : the experiences of CBT for problem gambling in South Asian men : an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Doctoral thesis, London Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

Background/Aims
In the United Kingdom (UK), South Asians (SAs) are at a higher risk of developing problem gambling (PG), whilst rates of gambling activity remain the same across the population. Similar findings across other minority groups in Western jurisdictions indicate that culture and ethnic minority status may play a role in the development from recreational gambling activity to PG. However, there is a dearth of research into SA men’s experience of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for PG in the UK and elsewhere. Existing research suggests that SA men with psychological difficulties under-utilise mental health services in the UK. Understanding the experiences of SA
problem gamblers who attend therapy could be integral in providing culturally appropriate interventions and adequate services where counselling psychologists work.

Design
Participants were seven second-generation SA men aged between 23 and 39 who had received individual and/or group CBT from a National Health Service (NHS) within the last year. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was applied to verbatim accounts of semi-structured interviews.

Results
Three superordinate themes were generated during analysis: ‘Experience of CBT’ (which refers to preconceptions of therapy, thoughts and challenges during therapy, issues of confidentiality); ‘Culture’ (which discusses stigma from the SA community, issues with identity and pressures from the family); ‘CBT Framework for gambling’ (which explores the learnings gained in therapy, addressing culture in therapy and advice for others).

Conclusion
Participants emphasised the issues that SA men can encounter in therapy for PG with regards to cultural factors. These included adhering to collectivist and British values, meeting family and community expectations whilst negotiating their identity, and in reconciling stigma towards gambling. It is therefore suggested that training facilities and practitioners should consider developing more directed interventions, such as individual therapy, to better address these clients’ cultural needs.

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