Transformation of the value- and- sense sphere of gamblers undergoing rehabilitation program

The spread of gambling addiction is one of the serious problems of modern society. Gambling addiction is a progressive disorder which is a complex formation and includes a syndrome of mental and physical dependence. A person involved in gambling creates grounds for inevitable failure: social disadaptation, coldness to relatives and social alienation; loss of what has been achieved in life; risk of losing livelihood; suicidal attempts; criminal behavior, etc. The negative social consequences demonstrate the need for more effective and comprehensive study in this area. The peculiarities of transformation of the value -and- sense sphere of personality in developing game addiction as well as in the process of rehabilitation still remain an insufficiently explored issue. This determines the relevance of our work. Objective. The article is devoted to the peculiarities of transformation of the value-and-sense sphere of gamblers undergoing rehabilitation program. Methods. Participants were 42 gambling addicts undergoing a rehabilitation program at the branches of the rehabilitation center “XXX” (Odintsovo, Moscow region and Omsk). The survey packet consisted of Zimbardo Personality Time Perspective; Life-Purpose Orientation Test by D.A. Leontiev; Self-Attitude Questionnaire by V.V. Stolin and S.R. Panteleyev; Rokeach Value Survey and the personal data questionnaire. Statistical methods (primary descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, Fisher’s F-criterion, Student’s t-distribution and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test) were used to process data. Results. In the course of the study, the hypothesis of a possible transformation of the value-and-sense sphere of gamblers towards a more adaptive one in the conditions of rehabilitation was tested and confirmed. The study found a connection between participation in the rehabilitation program and changes in the time perspective of the participants’ positive future. The research also revealed an increase in the level of life meaningfulness and self-esteem and a decrease in the level of self-blaming. The tests showed the shift of value from material support to self-development and self-acceptance. Scientific novelty. It was for the first time when the researchers made an attempt to study and compare to a great extent the characteristics of the value-and-sense sphere of gamblers before and after rehabilitation. Practical significance. The results can be taken into account to plan treatment and rehabilitation measures as well as to prevent gambling addiction.