Award Date

12-15-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Public Health

First Committee Member

Manoj Sharma

Second Committee Member

Christopher Johansen

Third Committee Member

Jennifer Pharr

Fourth Committee Member

Kavita Batra

Number of Pages

525

Abstract

Gambling among college students is a growing public health concern, with global prevalence rates indicating that approximately 10% experience problem gambling and 6% meet criteria for gambling disorder. This group faces heightened vulnerability due to developmental, social, and environmental factors such as independence, peer influence, and easy access to gambling opportunities. Despite these risks, few empirically tested, theory-based interventions target responsible gambling behaviors in college populations. This study evaluated the efficacy of the RESPONSIBLEPLAY© Multi-Theory Model (MTM)-based intervention, compared to a traditional knowledge-based program, in promoting responsible gambling among college students at a university in the southwestern United States. Participants (N = 39, Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) ≥ 3) were randomly assigned to either group and completed assessments at pre-test, post-test, and 8-week follow-up. Outcomes included the PGSI and MTM constructs related to the initiation (participatory dialogue, behavioral confidence, changes in the physical environment) and sustenance (emotional transformation, practice for change, changes in the social environment) of responsible gambling. Two-factor repeated measures ANOVAs revealed a significant main effect of Time for the PGSI, F (2,74) = 8.02, p = 0.0007, reflecting reductions in gambling severity for both groups (approximately a 23–24% decrease). Perceived Disadvantage (F (2,74) = 3.16, p = 0.048), Behavioral Confidence (F (2,74) = 3.62, p = 0.032), and Practice for Change (F (2,74) = 3.87, p = 0.025) demonstrated significant Group × Time interactions, indicating that MTM participants showed sharper early gains post-intervention, while knowledge-based participants improved more gradually. Overall, both interventions were effective, with the MTM-based program fostering early behavioral and motivational shifts. Findings provide empirical support for the Multi-Theory Model as a framework for designing responsible gambling interventions in public health tailored to college populations.

Keywords

Gambling intervention; MTM; Multi-theory model; Responsible Gambling; RESPONSIBLEPLAY

Disciplines

Higher Education | Public Health | Social and Behavioral Sciences

File Format

PDF

File Size

10200 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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Available for download on Friday, December 15, 2028


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