The current study had 3 research aims. Aim 1 was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a Gambling Protective Behaviors Scale (GPBS). Aim 2 was to evaluate the relationships between GPBS and other measures of gambling behavior. Aim 3 was a randomized control trial of a web-based prevention program for disordered gamblers assigned to 1 of 4 conditions: Brief Advice for Gambling (BAG), Personalized Normative Feedback (PNF), and Combined Advice and Norms (CAN), compared to an Assessment-Only condition (AO).

Results of Aim 1 indicated the Gambling Protective Behaviors Scale (GPBS) was comprised of 3 factors (Avoidance, Money Limiting, and Long-term Harm Reduction). Results of Aim 2 found that all three factors were significantly negatively correlated with scores on gambling behavior. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated Money-Limiting and Avoidance strategies significantly predicted concurrent SOGS score after controlling for participant's gambling quantity and frequency among current gamblers. Money Limiting strategies also predicted SOGS score among disordered gamblers (SOGS 3+).

Finally, Aim 3 tested results of the brief feedback-based interventions on gambling, controlling for baseline levels. Brief Advice was more efficacious than the control group in reducing quantity of gambling (p = .04). All interventions combined were more efficacious than control for producing increases in Long-term Harm Reduction protective behaviors. There was no effect of the PNF or CAN interventions alone, nor were either of these interventions more efficacious than control on any gambling outcome. These findings provide preliminary support for Brief Advice as a stand-alone intervention for college gambling. More research is needed to further evaluate the effects of PNF alone and in combination with BAG.