Experience of the Therapeutic Community in People with Gambling Disorder

초록

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experience of people with gambling disorder, who participated in the therapeutic community. Methods: Ten adults participated in a therapeutic community for at least three months and abstinent from gambling for more than six months. The data were collected May 16-August 1, 2019. Individual in-depth interviews were performed for 35~40 minutes. Results: The data were classified into seven categories and 14 subcategories using thematic analysis methods. The subjects reported the experience of the herapeutic community as follow: 1) Trusting in a warm and safe environment; 2) Being comforted by colleagues’ empathy; 3) Recognition of personal problems through colleagues’ stories; 4) Recognition of personal wrong values through philosophy; 5) Recognition of a personal problem with lifestyle; 6) Empathizing with family members; 7) Development of the ability to recognize and cope with relapse. Conclusion: The results showed that the therapeutic community had a positive impact on gambling abstinence and changes in the attitudes of life. © 2020 The Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.

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