The effects of responsible gambling pop-up messages on gambling behaviors and cognitions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Bjørseth, B, Simensen, JO, Bjørnethun, A, Griffiths, MD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8880-6524, Erevik, EK, Leino, T and Pallesen, S, 2021. The effects of responsible gambling pop-up messages on gambling behaviors and cognitions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11: 601800. ISSN 1664-0640

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Abstract

Pop-up messages utilized by gambling operators are normally presented to gamblers during gambling sessions in order to prevent excessive gambling and/or to help in the appraisal of maladaptive gambling cognitions. However, the effect of such messages on gambling behavior and gambling cognitions has not previously been synthesized quantitatively. Consequently, a meta-analysis estimating the efficacy of pop-up messages on gambling behavior and cognitions was conducted. A systematic literature search with no time constraints was performed on Web of Science, PsychInfo, Medline, PsychNET, and the Cochrane Library. Search terms included “gambling,” “pop-up,” “reminder,” “warning message,” and “dynamic message.” Studies based on randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs and pre-post studies reporting both pre- and post-pop-up data were included. Two authors independently extracted data using pre-defined fields including quality assessment. A total of 18 studies were included and data were synthesized using a random effects model estimating Hedges’ g. The effects of pop-ups were g = 0.413 for cognitive measures (95% CI = 0.115–0.707) and g = 0.505 for behavioral measures (95% CI = 0.256–0.746). For both outcomes there was significant between-study heterogeneity which could not be explained by setting (laboratory vs. naturalistic) or sample (gambler vs. non-gamblers). It is concluded that pop-up messages provide moderate effects on gambling behavior and cognitions in the short-term and that such messages play an important role in the gambling operators’ portfolio of responsible gambling tools.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Frontiers in Psychiatry
Creators:	Bjørseth, B., Simensen, J.O., Bjørnethun, A., Griffiths, M.D., Erevik, E.K., Leino, T. and Pallesen, S.
Publisher:	Frontiers Media SA
Date:	25 January 2021
Volume:	11
ISSN:	1664-0640
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.601800 DOI 1403557 Other
Rights:	© 2021 Bjørseth, Simensen, Bjørnethun, Griffiths, Erevik, Leino and Pallesen This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Jeremy Silvester
Date Added:	28 Jan 2021 17:10
Last Modified:	31 May 2021 15:07
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/42134

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