Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42096167›Full record

ArticleJournal of gambling studies2026

Online Peer Support for Gambling Harm: Perspectives from People with Lived Experience and Service Providers.

Katy L Penfold, Christia Huntington, Laura L Nicklin, Oliver Upstone, Darren Chadwick, Tracey J Devonport, Lisa J Orchard, Joanne Lloyd

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of gambling studies, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Katy L PenfoldSchool of Education and Psychology, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, England.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8246-4065
Christia HuntingtonSchool of Education and Psychology, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, England.
Laura L NicklinSchool of Education and Psychology, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, England.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6195-9501
Oliver UpstoneSchool of Education and Psychology, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, England.
Darren ChadwickSchool of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4963-0973
Tracey J DevonportDepartment of Sport, Hartpury University, Hartpury, England.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4808-244X
Lisa J OrchardSchool of Education and Psychology, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, England.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5401-9530
Joanne LloydSchool of Education and Psychology, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, England. joanne.lloyd@wlv.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3891-7247

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Online peer support (mutual aid provided by individuals with lived experience through digital platforms such as forums, messaging groups, or video meetings) has demonstrated benefits across health contexts but remains underexplored in gambling harm recovery. This study explored how online peer support for gambling harm is used and experienced, including perceived benefits, risks, and its role within broader support pathways, from the perspectives of (i) individuals with lived experience and (ii) professionals providing gambling harm support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 participants with lived experience of gambling harm and 24 service providers. Participants were recruited via gambling support services, social media, and word-of-mouth. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, with input from a lived experience panel to enhance validity and relevance. Three core themes emerged from lived experience accounts: healing through connection; when support spaces become unsafe; and accessibility and crisis prevention. Service provider interviews generated four complementary themes: navigating access to support; modes, preferences, and structures of support; evolving and individualistic recovery; and complexities of the peer-supporter role. Online peer support offers a valuable complement to professional treatment by fostering belonging, trust, and hope through shared experience. Its effectiveness depends on safety, inclusivity, and proportionate moderation. Flexible, co-designed models that accommodate diverse needs and safeguard both users and peer supporters are critical for sustainable, equitable provision.

Indexed as

GamblingPeer GroupSocial SupportAdultDigital MediaFemaleHumansInternetMaleMiddle AgedSelf-Help GroupsDigital peer supportGambling harmGambling recoveryOnline peer supportPeer support

Identifiers

PMID42096167
PMCPMC13578018

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.