Efficacy of a novel online integrated treatment for problem gambling and tobacco smoking: Results of a randomized controlled trial.

Background and aims: Problem gambling and tobacco use are highly comorbid among adults. However, there are few treatment frameworks that target both gambling and tobacco use simultaneously (i.e., an integrated approach), while also being accessible and evidence-based. The aim of this two-arm open label RCT was to examine the efficacy of an integrated online treatment for problem gambling and tobacco use. Methods: A sample of 209 participants (Mage = 37.66, SD = 13.81; 62.2% female) from North America were randomized into one of two treatment conditions (integrated [n = 91] or gambling only [n = 118]) that lasted for eight weeks and consisted of seven online modules. Participants completed assessments at baseline, after treatment completion, and at 24-week follow-up. Results: While a priori planned generalized linear mixed models showed no condition differences on primary (gambling days, money spent, time spent) and secondary outcomes, both conditions did appear to significantly reduce problem gambling and smoking behaviours over time. Post hoc analyses showed that reductions in smoking and gambling craving were correlated with reductions in days spent gambling, as well as with gambling disorder symptoms. Relatively high (versus low) nicotine replacement therapy use was associated with greater reductions in gambling behaviours in the integrated treatment condition. Discussion and conclusions: While our open label RCT does not support a clear benefit of integrated treatment, findings suggest that changes in smoking and gambling were correlated over time, regardless of treatment condition, suggesting that more research on mechanisms of smoking outcomes in the context of gambling treatment may be relevant.

Socially prescribed perfectionism predicts next-day binge eating behaviors over 20-days.

Existing research on perfectionism and binge eating suggests that socially prescribed, self-oriented, and other-oriented perfectionism (Socially Prescribed Perfectionism, SPP; Self-Oriented Perfectionism, SOP; and Other-Oriented Perfectionism, OOP) are differentially related to binge eating. However, previous studies have largely utilized cross-sectional methodology. The present study used a 20-day daily diary methodology to examine associations between daily levels of perfectionistic dimensions and next-day binge eating behaviors with a nonclinical sample of emerging adults (N = 263). Zero-inflated negative binomial regression models indicated that daily SPP (but not SOP or OOP) predicted a greater intensity of next-day binge eating behaviors in the count portion of the model; however, daily levels of perfectionistic dimensions did not predict the presence/absence of next-day binge eating behaviors in the zero-inflated portion of the model. Additionally, analyses examining the reverse causal direction (i.e., binge eating behaviors predicting higher next-day perfectionism) failed to provide evidence that the occurrence or intensity of binge eating behaviors predicts next-day levels of SPP, SOP, or OOP. Overall, at a daily level, SPP appears to be a vulnerability factor for binge eating behaviors. It may be helpful for clinicians to target state-levels of SPP to reduce harmful binge eating behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).