The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS): A rebuttal to critics

Prevalence and Possible Predictors of Gambling Disorder in a Sample of Students in the Healthcare Professions

The Italian version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen questionnaire (SOGS) and a socio-demographic questionnaire were administered to a sample of 275 healthcare professions students aged 19 to 58 years (mean age = 22.17; females = 81.1%) to address the research objectives: to examine the prevalence and correlates of problem gambling in a population of university healthcare professions students in Italy. Among the sample, 8.7% (n = 24) of participants showed problem gambling and 1.5% (n = 4) pathologic gambling. Lottery and scratch cards were the most frequent type of gambling in the sample, followed by cards and bingo. Compared to females, males tend to be more involved in problem gambling and pathological gambling. Males tend to be more involved than females in different types of gambling (such as cards, sports bets, gambling at the casino). Pathological gambling is positively associated with gender, being students lagging behind the regular schedule of exams and parents' level of education. These findings have important implications in terms of prevention and intervention on gambling and pathological gambling. Universities should make available educational programs and counselling services to address this issue.

Gambling problems among Lebanese adults: Arabic-Language version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) scale validation and correlates

BACKGROUND

In the DSM-5, gambling disorder is recognized as the only behavioral addiction. The number of people with mental health disorders is increasing in Lebanon, especially since the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the most used tool in the world in terms of pathological gambling, has never been translated to Arabic, culturally adapted in a way that suits the Lebanese population and validated. This study's objectives were to validate an Arabic-language version of the SOGS and assess factors associated with probable pathological gambling among Lebanese adults.

METHODS

This study was carried out between February and April 2021, during the lockdown period imposed by the Lebanese government. A total of 601 individuals participated in this study by filling the online questionnaire.

RESULTS

A factor analysis, using the principal component analysis, was performed on the SOGS scale items. The SOGS items were able to explain 73.35% of the variance, with an internal reliability of KR20 = 0.947 for the total scale. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the results of the factor analysis. More problematic alcohol use (aOR = 1.17), and more depression (aOR = 1.13) were significantly associated with higher odds of probable pathological gambling, whereas females (aOR = 0.27) had significantly lower odds of probable pathological gambling compared to males.

CONCLUSION

Our study validated an Arabic-language version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) for use in Lebanon, and showed some factors associated with probable pathological gambling (male gender, alcohol use disorder and depression). This reliable and valid version will hopefully contribute towards better screening for gambling disorder in Lebanon.

Proneness to Alcohol use Disorder or Pathological Gambling as Differentially Determined by Early Parental and Personality Factors

Owing to growing alcoholism and gambling, numerous variables have been the subject of study to better understand the causes of such addictions. This study aims to investigate personality factors, parental styles in upbringing and early exposure to alcoholism integratively to shed light on how such variables generally shape vulnerability for addictive behaviours and alcohol use disorder (AUD) as well as pathological gambling (PG), separately. The sample consisted of 150 for the inpatient groups (78 AUD and 72 PG) and 102 participants for the control group. The inpatient group comprised "pure" AUD (excluding gambling and other significant addictive disorders) and "pure" PG (excluding AUD and other significant addictive disorders). A random forest-trees analysis established a model accurately classifying 79% of participants from the addictive group and found low conscientiousness, an authoritarian father, a less-flexible mother and neuroticism to be predisposed factors for both addictions. Additionally, through structural equation modeling, a satisfying-index model shows higher extroversion and lower openness may be attributed to PG, as well as the father's authoritarian parenting style. The mother's authoritarian or permissive styles may be linked to AUD and the father's alcoholism. The research concludes AUD and PG have similarities in personality as vulnerable factors for addictive behaviours as well as essential differences in personality and early experiences from boundaries set by mothers and fathers and alcoholism in childhood. The results are applicable in preventive programs as well as working with patients and their parents to create more individualized treatment in relation to addiction type.

A Multi-Method Investigation of Normative and Pathological Personality Across the Spectrum of Gambling Involvement

Pathological Gambling (PG) has been linked to both specific personality traits and personality disorders (PDs). However, previous studies have used a wide variety of research designs that preclude clear conclusions about the personality features that distinguish adults with PG from other groups. The current investigation seeks to advance this research by using a sample including adults who do not gamble, who gamble socially, and who exhibit PG, using self-report, informant-report, and interview-rated measures of personality traits and disorders. A total of 245 adults completed measures of gambling behaviour and problems, as well as normative and pathological personality over two assessment visits. A multivariate ANCOVA was conducted to investigate differences between groups. Analyses supported numerous group differences including differences between all groups on the Neuroticism facet of Impulsivity, and between non-gambling/socially gambling and PG groups on the Conscientiousness facet of Self-Discipline. Adults with PG exhibited more symptoms of Borderline, Paranoid, Schizotypal, Avoidant, and Dependent PDs than adults who gamble socially or not at all. The current investigation provides a comprehensive survey of personality across a wide range of gambling involvement, using a multi-method approach. Our findings help to clarify the most pertinent personality risk factors for PG.

The Influence of Lockdown on the Gambling Pattern of Swiss Casinos Players

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has had a major impact on most societies worldwide, including the closure of non-essential businesses in spring 2020. The present study considers its impact upon gambling behavior. Particularly, changes in self-reported gambling by Swiss, land-based casino players are examined. The main characteristics of respondents who played or did not play during lockdown are also investigated. This study is embedded in an ongoing longitudinal study that examines the gambling behavior of casino players at three points in time. All respondents who had participated in the first wave of the longitudinal study by the cut-off date (15th March 2020) were asked about their gambling behavior during lockdown in a supplementary online survey three weeks after the end of lockdown. A total of 55% of the 110 respondents reported having played during lockdown. Gambling intensity significantly decreased (p < 0.001) in our sample. Considering only those respondents (n = 66) who reported having gambled during lockdown, gambling intensity also decreased (p < 0.001), but online gambling significantly increased (p < 0.002). Those players who have increased their gambling activity require particular attention. It is important that casinos respond with appropriate player protection measures to those who have increased their gambling activity during the pandemic.

Test Performance Variation Between Settings and Populations

The present paper is the third in a series on the evaluation of new tests designed to detect the disordered gambler. The present paper has two objectives. First, the observed variation in test performance between settings and populations is described in general terms and an explanation of the observed variation is presented in terms of what is referred to as spectrum effects. Second the expected variation in test performance between settings and populations is illustrated with several examples and the implications emphasized for the purpose of test evaluation.

Quelle est l’influence du genre dans la recherche de soins chez les joueurs?

Cette étude vise à décrire l’influence du genre sur les différentes étapes amenant un joueur ayant des problèmes de jeu à prendre la décision de rechercher de l’aide. Le modèle de recherche d’aide de Goldsmith, Jackson et Hough (1988) a été utilisé pour conceptualiser les étapes de prise de décision menant à consulter des services d’aide pour un problème de jeu de hasard et d’argent. Au total, 83 participants, dont 45 femmes et 38 hommes adultes, y ont pris part. Les résultats indiquent que, comparativement aux hommes, les femmes sont plus nombreuses à habiter en couple, ont plus souvent de faibles revenus et subviennent moins fréquemment seules à leurs besoins, rapportent des conduites de jeu plus conséquentes, souffrent davantage de troubles anxieux au cours de leur vie et, enfin, consultent surtout des services non spécialisés. Au cours des 12 derniers mois, les femmes avaient consulté plus souvent les services médicaux de première ligne et avaient eu moins fréquemment recours aux services spécialisés que les hommes.The aim of this study was to describe the influence of gender on the various stages of the decision-making process that bring problem gamblers to seek help. The authors used the help-seeking model developed by Goldsmith, Jackson and Hough (1988) to conceptualize the different stages of the process that leads to consulting support services for a gambling problem. A total of 83 participants (45 females and 38 males) took part in the study. Results show that women are more likely to have a partner and to earn a lower income; they provide for their own needs less frequently than men; report more consistent gaming behaviours; are more prone to anxiety disorder during their lifetime; and consult primarily non-specialized services. In the previous 12 months, they had accessed front-line services more often and specialized services less frequently than men.

Pensionnats autochtones : impact intergénérationnel

Les pensionnats autochtones sont des institutions ayant été en activité de la fin du 19e siècle à la fin du 20e siècle, que des enfants autochtones ont été forcés de fréquenter au Canada. Des enquêtes ont démontré que plusieurs jeunes fréquentant ces institutions y ont été victimes de négligence et de mauvais traitements. Les conséquences négatives découlant des mauvais traitements durant l’enfance ont été amplement documentées, notamment à travers les travaux de la Commission de vérité et réconciliation du Canada. Néanmoins, très peu d’études quantitatives ont été réalisées à ce sujet. L’objectif de cette recherche est de documenter, chez une population autochtone du Québec, les impacts associés à la fréquentation des pensionnats chez les survivants, mais également chez leurs enfants devenus adultes. Au total, 301 participants autochtones ont été rencontrés. Parmi les participants, 26,9 % ont fréquenté les pensionnats et 45,5 % ont un parent qui les a fréquentés. Les résultats indiquent que la fréquentation des pensionnats est associée à une probabilité plus élevée d’avoir vécu des traumas (agression sexuelle, agression physique, violence conjugale, etc.) dans l’enfance ou à l’âge adulte. Les résultats révèlent également que la fréquentation des pensionnats est associée à plusieurs difficultés, notamment à la consommation problématique d’alcool ou de drogues, au jeu problématique et à la détresse psychologique. Les résultats de cette étude soulignent l’importance de tenir compte des conséquences des traumatismes historiques et intergénérationnels liés aux pensionnats dans notre compréhension de la situation actuelle des peuples autochtones du Canada.

Les comportements violents: comparaison des couples selon que l'homme est perçu ou non par sa conjointe comme un joueur problèmatique

Marital problems, reported by a vast majority of problem gamblers, could worsen into violent behaviors. The purpose of this study consists of comparing couples in which the woman perceives her partner as a problem gambler with couples in which the partner is perceived as a non-problem gambler regarding dimensions and severity of violent behaviors inflicted and experienced by the women. Telephone interviews were conducted with 156 participants, 54 of which were in a relationship with a perceived problem gambler. Results indicated that more women with a perceived problem gambler partner report committing behaviors of physical violence and severe forms of psychological/verbal violence, compared with those whose partner is not perceived as a problem gambler. A greater number of these women were also victim of physical and psychological/verbal violence and of severe forms of these types of violence. In the long term, a better understanding of violence among these couples will provide guidelines to adapt interventions offered to gamblers and their relatives.

Desire thinking as a predictor of gambling

Desire thinking is a voluntary cognitive process involving verbal and imaginal elaboration of a desired target. A desired target can relate to an object, an internal state or an activity, such as gambling. This study investigated the role of desire thinking in gambling in a cohort of participants recruited from community and clinical settings. Ninety five individuals completed a battery of self-report measures consisting of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Gambling Craving Scale (GCS), the Desire Thinking Questionnaire (DTQ) and the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Correlation analyses revealed that gender, educational level, recruitment source, anxiety and depression, craving and desire thinking were correlated with gambling. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that both recruitment source and desire thinking were the only independent predictors of gambling when controlling for all other study variables, including craving. These findings are discussed in the light of metacognitive therapy (MCT).

Estimating the prevalence of adult problem gambling in Italy with SOGS and PGSI

Two assessment measures, the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), and the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), were administered to 1,979 participants (53% males, mean age 44.81 years). Results from exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed the presence of one single dimension underlying the SOGS and PGSI items. The 2 scales showed high levels of reliability. SOGS and PGSI results were highly correlated and showed positive and significant correlations with measures of gambling behaviour. Probable pathological gamblers identified by SOGS represented 2.05% (95% confidence interval 'CI' '1.17, 2.93') of the adult Italian population, and problem gamblers identified by PGSI represented 2.17% (95% CI '1.26, 3.07') of the population. A more conservative estimate of the prevalence of problem gambling in Italy, corresponding to 1.01% (95% CI '0.39, 1.63') of the adult population, was identified by considering only those participants for whom SOGS and PGSI were in perfect agreement concerning risk categories.

Pathological and problem gambling in substance use treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Pathological and problem gambling refer to a class of disorders, including those meeting criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis (i.e., pathological gambling), and others comprising a spectrum of severity defined by significant personal and social harm (i.e., problem gambling), that may be common in substance use treatment but are frequently unrecognized. This paper presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of available evidence indicating the prevalence of such gambling disorders in substance use treatment. It provides weighted mean estimates from across studies of clinical samples of substance users, and suggests around 14% of patients that demonstrate comorbid pathological gambling. Around 23% suffer conditions along the broader spectrum of problem gambling. The review also highlights important limitations of existing evidence, including scant data on current versus lifetime comorbidity, as well as reliance on convenience samples and self-administered measures of gambling problems. Notwithstanding a concomitant need for caution when applying these results, the findings suggest a strong need to identify and manage gambling comorbidity in substance use treatment. Strategies for identification of gambling disorders, and therapies that may provide useful adjunctive interventions in substance use treatment are discussed.

The Canadian Problem Gambling Index: an evaluation of the scale and its accompanying profiler software in a clinical setting

Across two studies we assessed the clinical utility of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI). In Study 1, the scored items on the CPGI significantly correlated with those of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), yet their shared variance was low. Importantly, clinician evaluation of the client's level of pathology was more strongly associated with that revealed by the CPGI than the SOGS. In terms of utility, clinicians found the non-scored items on the CPGI more useful in treatment than those included with the SOGS. In Study 2, the effectiveness of the CPGI profiler (CPGI-P) software, which graphically depicts problematic gambling-relevant attitudes and behaviours, was assessed. Although clients had difficulties using the CPGI-P interface, they overwhelmingly indicated that the output prompted action to address their gambling. The clinicians were less enthusiastic as they felt the output did not help clients truly understand their gambling problems. Such sentiments were reiterated by the clinicians at a 6 months follow-up. The use of the SOGS and possible adoption of the CPGI (as well as the CPGI-P) in a clinical setting are discussed.

Gambling Behaviors Among Oxford House Residents: A Preliminary Investigation

The present study investigated the prevalence of gambling behaviors among 71 individuals recovering from substance-dependent disorders and living in self-run recovery homes (Oxford Houses). Residents were given the South Oaks Gambling Screen to assess gambling behaviors and pathological gambling, and 19.7% of the sample was identified as having probable pathological gambling. These residents reported proportionately more involvement in a variety of gambling behaviors than other residents. Engagement in various gambling activities was consistent with previous investigations and suggested that self-run recovery homes such as Oxford Houses might be suitable referral sources for recovering persons who have comorbid gambling problems.

Reliability, validity, and cut scores of the south oaks gambling screen (SOGS) for Chinese

We examined the reliability, validity, and classification accuracy of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) when adopted for use in Chinese. The DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling served as the standard against which the classification accuracy of the SOGS was tested. A total of 283 Chinese adults in the community and 94 Chinese treatment-seeking gamblers were recruited. The internal reliability of the SOGS was satisfactory for the general sample and acceptable for the gambling sample. The SOGS was correlated with the DSM-IV criteria items as well as psychosocial and gambling-related problems. Relative to the DSM-IV criteria, the SOGS tended to overestimate the number of pathological gamblers in both samples. In general, we were relatively confident that individuals were not pathological gamblers if the SOGS scores were between 0 and 4 and were pathological gamblers if the SOGS were between 11 and 20. There was about 50–50 chance of being pathological gamblers if the SOGS scores were between 8 and 10. However, the probability of individuals being pathological gamblers was about 0.30 if the SOGS scores were between 5 and 7. We proposed a SOGS cut score of 8 to screen for probable pathological gambling in Chinese societies.

Should gambling be included in public health surveillance systems?

This paper examines the question of whether indicators of pathological or disordered gambling should be included in current public health surveillance systems. Such inclusion can be justified in terms of the emerging associations between disordered gambling and the leading indicators of the risk for premature morbidity and mortality. Additional justification can be seen in terms of the potential of Internet gambling to increase the incidence of gambling disorders, particularly among younger and older populations. The paper describes characteristics of public health surveillance systems and recommends including gambling in such systems, on at least a provisional basis.