Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An Assessment of the Validity and Reliability of the SOGS-RA

  • Published:
Journal of Gambling Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present is a validation study seeking to determine the degree of confidence that can be placed on inferences about problem gambling among adolescents in the Atlantic provinces, based on their South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA) scores. The major source of data was a 1998 survey of 13,549 students in junior and high school of the public school systems of the 4 Atlantic provinces of Canada. The SOGS-RA was found to have adequate stability and internal consistency reliability. Statistically significant gender differences were demonstrated relative to endorsement and construct validity. Regarding the latter, this study shows that the existing cut-point of the SOGS-RA score for problem gambling identifies as problem gamblers, markedly different proportions of male than female daily gamblers. Regarding construct validity in relation to the Atlantic Alcohol and Drug Risk Continua, this study suggests that while statistically highly significant, the association between problem gambling and substance-related problems may be of low clinical significance. Regarding criterion validity, there is an urgent need to perform the types of enquiry that will allow clarification about how adolescent problem gambling is conceptualized, by adults versus adolescents, by males versus females, and from a clinical versus a public or population health perspective.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Adlaf, E.M., & Ialomiteanu, A. (2000). Prevalence of problem gambling in adolescents: Findings of the 1999 Ontario Student Drug Use Survey. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 45(8), 752–755.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

  • Barcelo, A., Chhatre, V., Jones B., & Grobe, C. (1998). Provincial student drug use survey highlights 1998. Fredericton, NB: New Brunswick Department of Health and Community Services, Provincial Epidemiology Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canadian Public Health Association. (2000). Position paper. Gambling expansion in Canada: An emerging public health issue. Canadian Public Health Association Health Digest, 24(4), 3–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derevensky, J.L., & Gupta, R. (2000). Prevalence estimates of adolescent gambling: A comparison of the SOGS-RA, DSM-IV-J and the GA 20 Questions [Abstract]. Journal of Gambling Studies 16(2-3), 227–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferris, J., Wynne, H., & Single, E. (1999). Measuring problem gambling in Canada. Final report. Phase I. Ottawa: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, S. (1993). Gambling and pathological gambling in adolescents. Journal of Gambling Studies, 9(3), 277–288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, S. (1999). A prevalence study of gambling and problem gambling in British adolescents. Addiction Research, 7(6), 509–538.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, S.E. (1992). Measuring pathological gambling in children: The case of fruit machines in the U.K. Journal of Gambling Studies, 8(3), 263–285.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleiss, J.L. (1981). Statistical methods for rates and proportions (2nd ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Govoni, R., Rupcich, N., & Frisch, G.R. (1996). Gambling behavior of adolescent gamblers. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12(3), 305–317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R., & Derevensky, J.L. (1998a). Adolescent gambling behavior: A prevalence study and examination of the correlates associated with problem gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 14(4), 319–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R., & Derevensky, J.L. (1998b). An empirical examination of Jacobs' General Theory of Addictions: Do adolescent gamblers fit the theory? Journal of Gambling Studies, 14(1), 17–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R., & Derevensky, J.L. (2000). Adolescents with gambling problems: from research to treatment. Journal of Gambling Studies 16(2-3), 315–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, D., & Auger, D. (1995). Firewatch on Aboriginal adolescent gambling. Alberta, Canada: Nechi Training, Research & Health Promotions Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J.O., & Mueller, C.W. (1978). Factor analysis: Statistical methods and practical issues (Series No. 07-014). Newbury Park: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korn, D.A. (2000). Expansion of gambling in Canada: implications for health and social policy. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 163(1), 61–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., Bouchard, C., Rheaume, N., Jacques, C., Ferland, F., & Leblond, J. (2000). Is the SOGS an accurate measure of pathological gambling among children, adolescents and adults? Journal of Gambling Studies, 16(1), 1–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., Boudreault, N., Jacques, C., & Vitaro, F. (1999). Pathological gambling and related problems among adolescents. Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, 8(4), 55–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H.R., & Blume, S. (1987). The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS): A new instrument for the identificiation of pathological gamblers. American Journal of Psychiatry, 144, 1184–1188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H.R., & Rosenthal, R.J. (1991). Pathological gambling: A review of the literature. Journal of Gambling Studies, 7(1), 5–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Long, J.S. (1983). Confirmatory factor analysis. A preface to LISREL (Series No. 07-033). Newbury Park: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald, C.A., & Holmes, P.R. (1998). Newfoundland and Labrador Student Drug Use Survey 1998. St. John's, NF: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Health and Community Services, Addictions Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poulin, C. (2000). Problem gambling among adolescent students in the Atlantic provinces of Canada. Journal of Gambling Studies, 16(1), 53–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poulin, C., & Baker J. (1998). Nova Scotia student drug use 1998 technical report. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Department of Health Drug Dependency and Dalhousie University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poulin, C., Clarke, B., Balram, C., Wilbur, B., & Bryant, E. (1996). Student drug use surveys in the Atlantic Provinces: A standardized approach. Halifax, NS: Dalhousie University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poulin, C., MacNeil, P., & Mitic, W. (1993). The validity of a province-wide student drug use survey: lessons in design. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 84(4), 259–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, J., Hardoon, K., Derevensky, J.L., & Gupta, R. (1999). Gambling and risk-taking behavior among university students. Substance Use Misuse, 34(8), 1167–1184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, H.J., & Hall, M.N. (1996). Estimating the prevalence of adolescent gambling disorders: A quantitative synthesis and guide toward standard gambling nomenclature. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12(2), 193–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, H.J., Hall, M.N., & Vander Bilt, J. (1999). Estimating the prevalence of disordered gambling behavior in the United States and Canada: A research synthesis. American Journal of Public Health, 89(9), 1369–1376.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, H.J., LaBrie, R., Scanlan, K.M., & Cummings, T.N. (1994). Pathological gambling among adolescents: Massachusetts gambling screen (MAGS). Journal of Gambling Studies, 10(4), 339–362.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spunt, B., Dupont, I., Lesieur, H., Liberty, H.J., & Hunt, D. (1998). Pathological gambling and substance misuse: a review of the literature. Substance Use Misuse, 33(13), 2535–2560.

    Google Scholar 

  • StataCorp. (1999). Stata Statistical Software: Release 6.0. College Station, TX: Stata Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Streiner, D.L., & Norman, G.R. (1991). Health measurement scales. A practical guide to their development and use. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Til, L., MacMillan, H., & Poulin, C. (1998). Prince Edward Island 1998 student drug survey technical report. Charlottetown, PE: Prince Edward Island Department of Health and Social Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitaro, F., Ferland, F., Jacques, C., & Ladouceur, R. (1998). Gambling, substance use, and impulsivity during adolescence. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 12(3), 185–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, M.B., & Dickerson, M.G. (1996). The prevalence of problem and pathological gambling: A critical analysis. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12(2), 233–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westphal, J.R., Rush, J.A., Stevens, L., & Johnson, L.J. (2000). Gambling behavior of Louisiana students in grades 6 through 12. Psychiatric Services, 51(1), 96–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiebe, J. (1999). Manitoba youth gambling prevalence study: Summary of findings. Winnipeg, MB: Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winters, K.C., & Anderson, N. (2000). Gambling involvement and drug use among adolescents. Journal of Gambling studies, 16(2/3), 175–179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winters, K.C., Stinchfield, R.D., & Fulkerson, J. (1993a). Toward the development of an adolescent gambling problem severity scale. Journal of Gambling Studies, 9(1), 63–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winters, K.C., Stinchfield, R., & Fulkerson, J. (1993b). Patterns and characteristics of adolescent gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 9(4), 371–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winters, K.C., Stinchfield, R.D., & Kim, L.G. (1995). Monitoring adolescent gambling in Minnesota. Journal of Gambling Studies, 11(2), 165–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Working Group for Alcohol and Drug Problems. (1988). A framework for the response to alcohol and drug problems in Ontario. Toronto: Ontario Ministry of Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wynne, H.J., Smith, G.J., & Jacobs, D.F. (1996). Adolescent gambling and problem gambling in Alberta. Final report. Alberta: Wynne Resources.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, 5849 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3H 4H7

    Christiane Poulin

Authors
  1. Christiane Poulin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christiane Poulin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Poulin, C. An Assessment of the Validity and Reliability of the SOGS-RA. J Gambl Stud 18, 67–93 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014584213557

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014584213557

Search

Navigation