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The NODS–CLiP: A Rapid Screen for Adult Pathological and Problem Gambling

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Abstract

Objectives

To describe and evaluate tests of the performance of the NODS–CLiP, an efficient standardized diagnostic interview instrument for adult pathological and problem gambling.

Setting and Samples

Identical batteries of diagnostic questions about gambling behavior, motives, and thoughts were administered to participants in eight general adult population field studies conducted in the United States between 1999 and 2003, including six state-level random-digit-dial (RDD) telephone surveys, one national RDD survey, and one in-person systematic random sample survey of commercial gambling patrons in eight states. Total survey N = 17,180. Response rates ranged from 24 to 71%.

Measures

Data from all experienced gamblers (N = 8,867) were re-analyzed to compare diagnostic status derived from the 17-item NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Disorders (NODS), a validated DSM-IV-based instrument, with results from all 2- to 4-item subsets of NODS items.

Results

Three NODS questions pertaining to loss of Control, Lying, and Preoccupation (the “CLiP”), requiring one minute to administer, identified virtually all pathological gamblers and most problem gamblers diagnosed by the complete NODS. The CLiP has excellent sensitivity and specificity for NODS constructs.

Conclusions

A two-stage NODS–CLiP procedure appears quite promising as an efficient epidemiological instrument for general population research and clinical triage for gambling disorders.

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Acknowledgments

The analysis in this paper was partially supported by Grant no. AA12982 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago (NORC). The authors were coworkers in the NORC Department of Substance Abuse, Mental Health, and Criminal Justice Studies from 1997 to 2005. The authors wish to acknowledge the many colleagues whose efforts went into the completion of the survey data reported here and the thousands of respondents who gave of their time and personal information.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Journal of Gambling Issues, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Marianna Toce-Gerstein

  2. Claremont Graduate University, 150 E 10th St., Claremont, CA, 91711, USA

    Dean R. Gerstein

  3. Gemini Research, Ltd., Northampton, MA, USA

    Rachel A. Volberg

Authors
  1. Marianna Toce-Gerstein
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  2. Dean R. Gerstein
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  3. Rachel A. Volberg
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Correspondence to Dean R. Gerstein.

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Toce-Gerstein, M., Gerstein, D.R. & Volberg, R.A. The NODS–CLiP: A Rapid Screen for Adult Pathological and Problem Gambling. J Gambl Stud 25, 541–555 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-009-9135-y

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