Query: "Problem Gambling Severity Index" AND "power analysis" AND survey

title: The extent and distribution of gambling harm in Finland as assessed by the Problem Gambling Severity Index.
abstract: Preventing gambling harm has become a policy priority in many European countries. Adverse consequences related to problem gambling are well known, but few studies have analyzed gambling related harm in detail in general population samples. We determined the extent and distribution of gambling harm in Finland, as assessed by the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and analyzed gambling involvement, demographics and their association with various types of harm.  A nationwide telephone survey was conducted among 4484 Finns aged 15 74 years in 2011 12. Gambling related harms were based on the nine item PGSI. Gambling involvement was measured by gambling frequency and weekly average gambling expenditure. Associations among harms, demographics and gambling involvement were examined in logistic regression.  During the previous year, 13% of respondents experienced at least one gambling related harm (males 18.1% females 7.2% The four commonest harms were 'chasing losses' (8.6% 'escalating gambling to maintain excitement' (3.1% 'betting more than could afford to lose' (2.8% and 'feeling guilty' (2.6% The harm profile in descending order was the same for both genders but differed in prevalence. Young age <25 years) was associated with increased likelihood of reporting harms. Both monthly and weekly gambling and spending over EUR21 per week on gambling were related to the harms.  Our results provide support for the public health approach to gambling: harms were reported even at low gambling frequency expenditure levels. In addition to the high risk approach, adopting a population level approach to preventing gambling harm could shift the population distribution of harm in a lower direction.

title: Validation of the problem gambling severity index using confirmatory factor analysis and rasch modelling
abstract: The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) a screening tool used to measure the severity of gambling problems in general population research, was subjected to confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch modelling to (a) confirm the one factor structure; (b) assess how well the items measure the continuum of problem gambling severity; (c) identify sources of differential item functioning among relevant subpopulations of gamblers. Analyses were conducted on a nationally representative sample of over 25,000 gamblers compiled by merging data from the Canadian Community Health Survey and Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) integrated datasets.  provided support for a one factor model that was invariant across gender, age, income level, and gambler type. Rasch modelling revealed a well fitting, unidimensional model with no miss fitting items. The average severity assessed by the PGSI is consistent with moderately severe problem gambling. The PGSI is therefore weak in assessing low to moderate problem severity, a notable limitation of most brief gambling screens. Evidence of clinically significant differential item functioning was found with only one item, borrowing money to gamble, which behaved differently in gamblers who play electronic gaming machines or casino games compared to gamblers who avoid these games.

title: Criterion related and construct validity of the Problem Gambling Severity Index in a sample of South African gamblers
abstract: The Problem Gambling Severity Index, the scored module of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index, is a population based survey instrument that is becoming the preferred epidemiological tool for estimating the prevalence of disordered gambling. While some validation evidence for the Problem Gambling Severity Index is available, very little is known about its psychometric characteristics in developing countries or in countries the populations of which are not highly Westernised. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of the Problem Gambling Severity Index with a specific focus on its criterion related and construct (concurrent) validity in a community sample of gamblers in South Africa (n 127) To this end, the Problem Gambling Severity Index was administered alongside the Diagnostic Interview for Gambling Severity and measures known to associate with gambling severity (impulsivity, current debt, social problems, financial loss, race, sex) Results showed that the Problem Gambling Severity Index was predictive of Diagnostic Interview for Gambling Severity diagnosis from both a categorical and dimensional point of view and demonstrated high discrimination accuracy for subjects with problem gambling. Analysis of sensitivity and specificity at different cut points suggests that a slightly lower Problem Gambling Severity Index score may be used as a screening cut off for problem gambling among South African gamblers. The Problem Gambling Severity Index also showed significant correlations with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, a widely known measure of impulsivity, and with some of the predicted behavioural variables of interest (gambling activities, money lost to gambling, current debt, interpersonal conflict) This article therefore demonstrates initial criterion and concurrent validity for the Problem Gambling Severity Index for use in South African samples.

title: National estimates of Australian gambling prevalence: f indings from a dual frame omnibus survey
abstract: , aims and design The increase in mobile telephone only households may be a source of bias for traditional landline gambling prevalence surveys.  identify Australian gambling participation and problem gambling prevalence using a dual frame (50% landline and 50% mobile telephone) computer assisted telephone interviewing methodology; (2) explore the predictors of sample frame and telephone status; and (3) explore the degree to which sample frame and telephone status moderate the relationships between respondent characteristics and problem gambling.  A total of 2000 adult respondents residing in Australia were interviewed from March to April 2013.  Participation in multiple gambling activities and Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)  Estimates were: gambling participation [63.9% 95% confidence interval (CI) 61.4 66.3] problem gambling (0.4% 95% CI 0.2 0.8) moderate risk gambling (1.9% 95% CI 1.3 2.6) and low risk gambling (3.0% 95% CI 2.2 4.0) Relative to the landline frame, the mobile frame was more likely to gamble on horse/greyhound races [odds ratio (OR) 1.4] casino table games (OR 5.0) sporting events (OR 2.2) private games (OR 1.9) and the internet (OR 6.5) less likely to gamble on lotteries (OR 0.6) and more likely to gamble on five or more activities (OR 2.4) display problem gambling (OR 6.4) and endorse PGSI items (OR 2.4 6.1) Only casino table gambling (OR 2.9) and internet gambling (OR 3.5) independently predicted mobile frame membership. Telephone status (landline frame versus mobile dual users and mobile only users) displayed similar findings. Finally, sample frame and/or telephone status moderated the relationship between gender, relationship status, health and problem gambling (OR 2.9 7.6)  Given expected future increases in the mobile telephone only population, best practice in population gambling research should use dual frame sampling methodologies (at least 50% landline and 50% mobile telephone) for telephone interviewing.

title: Online Gambling in the Midst of COVID 19: A Nexus of Mental Health Concerns, Substance Use and Financial Stress
abstract: This study examined the emerging impact of COVID 19 on gambling during the first 6 weeks of emergency measures in Ontario, Canada. A cross sectional online survey of 2005 gamblers, including a sub sample of 1081 online gamblers (age 18 years and older) was administered to assess risky gambling behaviours and motivations, financial impacts from COVID 19, the influence of COVID 19 on online gambling, mental health concerns and substance use. A series of odds ratio comparisons and measures of association were carried out. Results show significant likelihood of online gambling among those classified as high risk gamblers (according to the Problem Gambling Severity Index) and those with past experience of online gambling, though migration from land based gambling was apparent. Among high risk online gamblers, the most predictive risk factors included moderate and severe anxiety and depression, reduced work hours, being influenced to gamble due to COVID 19, gambling under the influence of cannabis or alcohol and risky gambling motives tied to mental health concerns, including gambling because it helps with nervousness and depression, chasing gambling losses and seeking to earn income. This study has confirmed many of the risk associations presented in emerging COVID 19 related studies and past research on global economic crisis relating to gambling risk, mental health concerns and substance use. However, unlike many past studies, the present paper takes note of all of these elements holistically and provides incremental clarity on online gambling risk factors during the pandemic, specifically.

title: Evaluating the Reliability and Validity of the Short Gambling Harm Screen: Are Binary Scales worse than Likert Scales at capturing Gambling Harm?
abstract: Gambling related harm has become a key metric for measuring the adverse consequences of gambling on a population level. Yet, despite this renewed understanding in contemporary research, little exploration has been conducted to evaluate which instrument is best suited to capture the harmful consequences of gambling. This study was designed with the aim of determining whether Likert scales were better suited to capture gambling harm than binary scales. We hypothesized that the Short Gambling Harm Screen (SGHS) initially scored using a binary scale, would perform similarly to the alternate form that was Likertized for the purpose of this study. A corresponding comparison in the reverse direction was executed for the Problem Gambling Severity Index. The SGHS's performance was assessed via a repeated measures design in combination with three other measures of validity administered at the conclusion of the survey. In the end, we found that changing the scoring format (i.e. from binary to Likert) had negligible impact on the SGHS's psychometric performance. We conclude that the original scoring method of the SGHS is not only appropriate but also no less suitable than Likert scales in measuring gambling harm. Resume Les dommages lies au jeu sont devenus une mesure cle pour evaluer les consequences nefastes du jeu a l'echelle de la population. Pourtant, malgre cette comprehension renouvelee dans la recherche contemporaine, on effectue tres peu d'exploration pour evaluer quel instrument est le mieux adapte pour comprendre les consequences nefastes du jeu. Cette etude a ete concue dans le but de determiner si les echelles de Likert etaient mieux adaptees que les echelles binaires pour saisir les dommages lies au jeu. Nous avons emis l'hypothese que le depistage rapide du jeu problematique (Short Gambling Harm Screen ou SGHS) initialement evalue a l'aide d'une echelle binaire, ne fonctionnera pas differemment de la forme de Likert alternative qui a ete creee aux fins de cette etude. Une comparaison correspondante dans la direction inverse a ete effectuee pour l'indice de gravite du jeu excessif (PGSI) Les performances du SGHS ont ete evaluees par un plan de mesures repetees, combines a trois autres mesures de validite administrees a la fin du sondage. En fin de compte, nous avons constate que le changement du format de pointage (c. a d. du binaire au Likert) avait un impact negligeable sur le rendement psychometrique du SGHS. Nous concluons que la methode de pointage originale du SGHS est non seulement appropriee, mais egalement non moins appropriee que les echelles de Likert pour evaluer les dommages lies au jeu.

title: GamTest: Psychometric Evaluation in a Low Gambling General Population
abstract: Instruments that investigate different aspects of gambling activities are needed to distinguish negative consequences. Because gambling is a complex activity that occurs both offline and online, different questionnaires are necessary for screening and risk classification. GamTest, an instrument used by several gambling companies, was designed to cover different aspects of gambling: money and time spent, as well as social, financial, and emotional consequences. This study explores GamTest's psychometric properties in a general population. A total of 2,234 Swedish respondents completed an online survey containing demographic questions, the questionnaire (GamTest) and the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) A confirmatory factor analysis was performed and GamTest's reliability and validity tested. The confirmatory factor analysis yielded an inclusive fit. The internal consistency (omega) for the five factors was high .79 .91) indicating good reliability, and a high positive correlation with the PGSI supported the validity of the GamTest. The inclusive fit of the confirmatory factor analysis can be explained by the low endorsement of negative consequences of gambling in the sample. However, GamTest seems to have good reliability and validity. The utility of GamTest is discussed in relation to its psychometric properties and its use in the responsible gambling tool Playscan. Resume Pour etre en mesure d'evaluer les consequences negatives du jeu, il nous faut des instruments qui etudient differents aspects de ces activites. Comme le jeu est une activite complexe qui se deroule a la fois hors ligne et en ligne, differents questionnaires sont necessaires a des fins de depistage et de classification des risques. Le GamTest est un instrument utilise par plusieurs entreprises de jeux d'argent. Il a ete concu pour couvrir differents aspects du jeu: l'argent depense et le temps passe, ainsi que les consequences sociales, financieres et emotionnelles. Cette etude explore les proprietes psychometriques du GamTest dans une population en general. Au total, 2234 Suedois ont repondu a un sondage en ligne contenant des questions demographiques, le questionnaire (GamTest) et l'indice de gravite du jeu problematique. Une analyse factorielle de confirmation a ete effectuee. La fiabilite et la validite du GamTest ont egalement ete testees. L'analyse factorielle de confirmation a donne un ajustement inclusif. La coherence interne (Omega) pour les cinq facteurs etait elevee (0,79 a 0,91) indiquant une bonne fiabilite. Une correlation positive elevee avec l'IGPJ a confirme la validite du GamTest. L'ajustement inclusif de l'analyse factorielle peut s'expliquer par le faible endossement des consequences negatives du jeu dans l'echantillon. Cependant, le GamTest semble etre fiable et valide. L'utilite du Gamtest est abordee sous l'angle de ses proprietes psychometriques et de son utilisation dans l'outil de jeu responsable Plyscan.

title: On the Stability and the Progression of Gambling Problems: Longitudinal Relations between different Problems related to Gambling.
abstract: In psychiatric diagnosis, different symptoms of gambling problems are usually aggregated into a single indicator of disorder severity, which has resulted in a knowledge gap on the specific roles of the different issues with which some gamblers struggle. This study estimated the association between baseline symptoms of gambling problems and (1) other symptoms and (2) the overall severity of gambling problems after 12 months. It also estimated the stability rates of various gambling problems after (3) 12 months and (4) 5 years.  Secondary analysis of data derived from the Swedish longitudinal gambling study (SWELOGS) a prospective representative cohort study conducted between 2008 and 2014 in Sweden.  A total of 8,165 respondents aged from 16 to 84 recruited in a stratified random sampling procedure. Among them, 6,021 answered the 1 year and 3,559 the 5 year follow up survey.  Nine symptoms related to gambling were assessed using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (excessive gambling, tolerance, chasing, loans, insight, health problems, criticism, financial problems, and guilt) FINDINGS Excessive gambling, tolerance, chasing, loans and guilt significantly increased the risk of a range of other symptoms. Chasing and tolerance also tripled the risk of transitioning to more severe gambling problems (OR=2.9 (95%CI=[1.5 5.5] p=.001 and OR=2.7 (95%CI=[1.6 4.5] p<.001 respectively) Stability rates of the different symptoms ranged between 22% (95% CI=[12 31% and 42% (95% CI=[35 48% after 1 year and 3% (95% CI=[0 10% and 19% (95% CI=[7 30% after 5 years with chasing being the most stable problem (42% (95% CI=[35 48% after 1 and 17% (95% CI=[6 28% after 5 years)  In psychiatric diagnosis, four symptoms of problem gambling (chasing, tolerance, excessive gambling and guilt) appear to have prognostic validity in assessing gambling related risk. The symptoms of tolerance and chasing appear to increase the risk of progressing to more severe gambling problems.

title: Positive play and its relationship with gambling harms and benefits.
abstract: Engagement in responsible or 'positive play' strategies is known to be negatively associated with problem gambling, as indexed by measures such as the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) Less is known about whether positive play is associated with reduced harm or a greater ability to enjoy the recreational benefits of gambling.  This study investigated the relationship between positive play and gambling harm after controlling for PGSI scores and whether positive play moderated the relationship between PGSI scores and harm. It also examined whether positive play was related to perceived benefits associated with gambling.  The study utilised an online panel sample of 554 respondents who completed a survey that included the PGSI, measures of gambling harm drawn from Browne et al. (2016) and the newly developed Positive Play Scale (Wood et al. 2019) The study involved predominantly monthly gamblers with higher levels of gambling risk: 23% problem gamblers; 36% moderate risk; and 21% low risk gamblers.  The results indicated that positive play was negatively associated with reduced gambling harm. The behavioural Positive Play subscales relating to pre commitment and honesty and control explained additional variation in harm after controlling for PGSI scores. Higher levels of positive play also moderated and reduced the relationship between the PGSI and gambling harm. Perceived benefits were, unexpectedly, found to be higher in problem gamblers and negatively related to positive play.  Behavioural measures of positive play appear to be useful moderating factors in understanding the relationship between problem gambling and harm. Higher risk gamblers appear to experience both greater costs as well as benefits from gambling, which likely reflects a stronger personal need to engage in the activity.

title: Perspective of Internet Poker Players on Harm Reduction Strategies: A Cross Sectional Study
abstract: Internet gambling may increase rates of gambling harm. This current study aimed to assess Internet poker players' views on various harm reduction (HR) strategies. It also examined differences in these views according to the games played (poker only vs. poker plus other gambling activities) indebtedness, and problem gambling severity.  Internet poker players (n 311; 94.2% Male) recruited online between 2012 and 2014 were included in the analyses and completed a survey on indebtedness, problem gambling severity index, and ten statements regarding HR features.  Among the whole sample, the most frequently endorsed HR strategy was setting money limits, specialized online help, and peer support forums. People who play poker only (70% are less prone to endorse the utility of information on excessive gambling and specialized healthcare centers. No differences were found between those people with debt versus those without regarding HR assessment. Participants with severe problem gambling were more skeptical about HR strategies based on information on specialized healthcare centers.  Setting money limits, online help, and peer support forums are the most commonly endorsed strategies. Future research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of online harm reduction strategies.