Closing a Treatment Gap in Ontario: Pilot of a Tutorial Workbook for Women Gamblers

Past research has shown that treatment services for problem gambling are being underutilized in Ontario, especially by women. Our pilot study involves the development of a Tutorial Workbook (TW) designed specifically to address the special issues and treatment needs of women who gamble and develop consequent problems. Investigators tested the effectiveness of the intervention and reviewed comments from women gamblers on the contents and layout of the workbook. The TW study involved 12 modules and required progress update and feedback forms for each. A mixed method analysis was used to evaluate the intervention, with quantitative and qualitative feedbacks indicating that it was well received by participants. The majority reported that the program helped them modify gambling behaviours through increased understanding and awareness of their triggers. They reported feeling better about themselves, improved mood and anxiety levels, feeling less isolated, positive changes in their relationships and hope for the future. Their input provided suggestions for changes to the TW. The TW will serve women seeking self-help materials, including on-line or paper-based support. As such, it expands services to reach a sub-group of women who might not otherwise seek or accept treatment because of a variety of barriers.Dans des recherches faites précédemment, on a montré que les services de traitement de problèmes liés au jeu compulsif sont sous-utilisés en Ontario, surtout par les femmes. Notre étude pilote a porté sur la conception d’un cahier didactique conçu spécialement pour répondre aux problèmes particuliers et aux besoins de traitement des femmes qui s’adonnent au jeu et développent des problèmes connexes. Les chercheurs ont testé l’efficacité de l’intervention et analysé les commentaires faits par des joueuses pathologiques sur le contenu et la mise en page du cahier. L’étude sur le cahier didactique comprenait douze modules et des formulaires de bilan/retour des progrès à remplir obligatoirement pour chaque module. On a utilisé une méthodologie mixte pour évaluer l’intervention, avec commentaires quantitatifs et qualitatifs indiquant un accueil favorable par les participantes. La plupart ont indiqué que le programme les a aidées à modifier leurs comportements de jeu, car il leur a permis d’acquérir une meilleure compréhension de leurs déclencheurs et d’en prendre conscience. Les participantes ont déclaré se sentir mieux à propos d’elles-mêmes, avoir noté une amélioration de l’humeur et une baisse de l’anxiété, s’être senties moins isolées, avoir observé des changements positifs dans leurs relations et avoir regagné espoir pour l’avenir. Dans leurs commentaires, elles ont fourni des suggestions pour modifier le cahier de travail. Ce cahier sera utile aux femmes qui recherchent des documents d’initiative personnelle, en ligne ou sur papier. Comme tel, cet outil apporte donc un complément aux services déjà offerts afin d’atteindre un sous-groupe de femmes qui autrement pourraient ne pas chercher ou accepter un traitement en raison de diverses barrières.

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Prison Classification

Criminology ◽

10.1093/obo/9780195396607-0286 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nicole Frisch-Scott

Keyword(s):

Gender Equity ◽

Past Research ◽

Additional Treatment ◽

Classification Systems ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Housing Program ◽

Treatment Needs ◽

Administrative Segregation ◽

Treatment Services ◽

Future Direction

Classification processes determine the entire nature of the prison experience, including but not limited to where an inmate is housed, whom he or she is housed with, the programs and work assignments available to or required of an inmate, visitation rights, and the amount or type of movement an inmate has within a facility. In making these important decisions, prisons have long relied on procedures to determine where and how to supervise inmates under their control. These classification processes are designed to maintain prison order, allocate necessary treatment services, and provide a transparent basis for decisions that affect inmate life. Classification decisions can be divided into several types: initial security/facility classification and custody classification (determined by external classification systems), housing program and work assignments (determined by internal classification systems), and re-classifications. Inmates undergo a rigorous classification process upon reception into a corrections department’s custody and are often subject to re-evaluations throughout their time incarcerated. The predominant goal of classification systems is to identify and manage inmate risk, and many studies have focused on classification systems and inmate misconduct, recidivism, and violence. As classification systems are also intended to diagnose inmate needs and provide treatment, and ensure the efficient allocation of correctional resources, scholars have focused classification systems’ impact on adjustment to prison, provision of treatment, and prison crowding. Research has questioned the ability of a single classification system to assess the risk and need of all inmates. Many studies have considered gender equity in classification decisions as well as the additional treatment needs and management considerations for incarcerated individuals with mental illness. Additional research has focused on administrative segregation, or classification decisions that result in the isolation of those who cannot be housed in the general inmate population. Complicating this literature is the changing nature of classification systems over time and the fact that all states and the federal government have adopted unique classification systems. It is therefore difficult to draw conclusions about the state of knowledge on classification practices as a whole. Nevertheless, the past several decades have seen an emphasis on objective classification, or empirically based strategies to make classification decisions. The use of risk assessment tools has become commonplace in this realm. Though past research focused on classification systems as a means to control and monitor inmates, a promising future direction lies in needs assessments and the ability to deliver individualized treatment to incarcerated individuals.

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Weight-based Bullying At Work: A Mixed Method Analysis Of How It Manifests

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e508282017-001 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Grace Lemmon ◽

Jaclyn M. Jensen

Keyword(s):

Mixed Method ◽

Method Analysis

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Preschool Children's Helping Behavior: Observational Study and Mixed-method Analysis

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e566752011-010 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

Emily McSpadden

Keyword(s):

Observational Study ◽

Mixed Method ◽

Helping Behavior ◽

Method Analysis

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Commentary on Chaplain-Physician Interactions From the Chaplain’s Perspective: A Mixed Method Analysis

American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine® ◽

10.1177/10499091211003080 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104990912110030

Author(s):

Rev George Handzo ◽

Rev Brian Hughes

Keyword(s):

Best Practices ◽

Health System ◽

Patient Care ◽

Health Systems ◽

Mixed Method ◽

Effective Strategies ◽

Optimal Patient Care ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

Method Analysis

Gomez and her colleagues have presented a helpful study of the relationship of the chaplains in her health system to physicians which highlights several barriers to a well-integrated relationship and thus to more optimal patient care. We have seen these same barriers as we have consulted with health systems nationally and have also identified many best practices that mediate or even eliminate many of these barriers. This commentary describes some of what we have seen as chaplain-generated causes of those barriers and effective strategies that have been employed to overcome them. We also provide some resources for chaplains who wish to institute some of these best practices themselves.

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