SAGE: Scoping the accessibility of safer gambling information in the United Kingdom Armed Forces: Pilot evaluation study
The SAGE Study will (a) conduct a “whole-force” climate-scoping, evaluation of existing provision of safer gambling information among currently serving UK military personnel and affected others and (b) field-test a military gambling SBIRT online platform.
Aim
The SAGE Study aims to understand and evaluate the awareness of safer gambling information among the UK Armed Forces, identify the kinds of problems related to harmful gambling in the Armed Forces, and learn how best to improve the accessibility of safer gambling information for personnel and their friends and family. Additionally, the study would perform a field-test on a Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) online platform for military gambling, designed to screen for harmful gambling, provide education on facts about harmful gambling, and refer users to sources of help and support.
Method
Work Package 1: The project begins with comprehensive surveys and insightful interviews involving armed forces personnel, along with individuals affected by military-related gambling habits. The online survey captures experiences and support awareness, while follow-up interviews provide in-depth insights, with participants receiving shopping vouchers.
Work Package 2: The study moves on to evaluating user experiences with a web-based Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) tool. Refinements are made based on literature reviews and feedback from armed forces personnel, collaborating with Soteria.
Work Package 3: Finally, the team will disseminate findings through published articles, sharing outcomes from surveys, interviews, and reviews. A Knowledge Sharing event at Swansea University will engage stakeholders, and updates will be available on the project website and social media platforms, including Twitter.
Research questions
- What are participants experiences of gambling-related harms
- How aware are participants of sources of support for harmful gambling and associated difficulties.
Sample / Participants
This project will recruit Armed Forces Service personnel, people who are affected by the gambling habits of a member of the Armed Forces, and people who help Armed Forces Service personnel with gambling-related problems.
Collaborators
This is a collaborative project between Swansea University, Anglia Ruskin University and Justyn Larcombe.