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Journal of Gambling Studies
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies 2/2013

01-06-2013 | Original Paper

Validity of the Problem Gambling Severity Index Interpretive Categories

Authors: Shawn R. Currie, David C. Hodgins, David M. Casey

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 2/2013

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Abstract

The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) is a widely used nine item scale for measuring the severity of gambling problems in the general population. Of the four gambler types defined by the PGSI, non-problem, low-risk, moderate-risk and problem gamblers, only the latter category underwent any validity testing during the scale’s development, despite the fact that over 95% of gamblers fall into one of the remaining three categories. Using Canadian population data on over 25,000 gamblers, we conducted a comprehensive validity and reliability analysis of the four PGSI gambler types. The temporal stability of PGSI subtype over a 14-month interval was modest but adequate (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.63). There was strong evidence for the validity of the non-problem and problem gambler categories however the low-risk and moderate-risk categories showed poor discriminant validity using the existing scoring rules. The validity of these categories was improved with a simple modification to the scoring system.
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Metadata
Title
Validity of the Problem Gambling Severity Index Interpretive Categories
Authors
Shawn R. Currie
David C. Hodgins
David M. Casey
Publication date
01-06-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 2/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-012-9300-6

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