Dr Martins Noyosase Igbineweka & Dr Wellington Omosefe Jesuorobo
Abstract
The study investigated the differential efficacy of Rational Emotive Behavioural, Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Brief Therapies in managing online gambling among undergraduates in universities in Edo State, Nigeria. One research question was raised to guide the study with a corresponding hypothesis. The study adopted the quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test non-equivalent control group design. The study population consisted of all duly registered full-time undergraduates of the University of Benin in Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used, while the Online Betting Scale was administered to the undergraduates. Three experts validated the instrument, and a reliability coefficient of 0.95 was obtained using Cronbach’s alpha statistics, and the data collected was analysed. The study revealed that Rational Emotive Behavioural, Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Brief Therapies were efficacious in managing online gambling among undergraduates in universities in Edo State, Nigeria. Based on the findings, it was recommended that counselling interventions should be regularly promoted among public and private university undergraduates and other educational settings. Guidance counsellors and counselling psychologists should be encouraged to use REBT, MI and SFBT counselling techniques and skills in managing undergraduates with online gambling addiction.