SARGF invites public participation in gambling disorder research
Participants will be asked to provide information about their gambling history, behaviour and how gambling may have affected their well-being.
South Africa.- The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) has opened participation for a study investigating how treatment data can improve the diagnosis and treatment outcomes of gambling disorder in South Africa.
The research, titled: “Effectiveness of the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation Treatment Data in Addressing Gambling Disorder in South Africa, is a doctoral project at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Business School, led by PhD candidate Sibongile Simelane-Quntana and supervised by Pius Oba.
Participants will be required to complete an online survey divided into three sections, derived from the SARGF’s research instruments. The survey is expected to take between 30 and 45 minutes.
In a public letter to potential participants, Simelane-Quntana noted that the study aims to evaluate how treatment data can improve the prognosis and diagnosis of gambling disorders. Participants will be asked to provide information about their gambling history, behaviour and how gambling may have affected their well-being. The letter states that all information collected will remain confidential and anonymous, and personal identifiers will not be used when publishing results.
With consent, anonymised data may also be accessed by other researchers. The research data will be securely stored in the cloud for six years before deletion. Participation is voluntary and respondents may withdraw at any time without consequences. The study does not involve any financial cost or compensation.
The researcher noted that some survey questions could cause emotional discomfort. Participants who experience distress may be referred to the foundation for counselling and treatment. Once completed, the research will contribute to Simelane-Quntana’s doctoral dissertation at Wits Business School. A summary of the final report will be shared with participants upon request.
