Skip to main content
Log in

Validity of the Problem Gambling Severity Index Interpretive Categories

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

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.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Afifi, T. O., Cox, B. J., Martens, P. J., Sareen, J., & Enns, M. W. (2010). The relation between types and frequency of gambling activities and problem gambling among women in Canada. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry (La Revue canadienne de psychiatrie), 55, 21–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Australian Government Productivity Commission (2010). Gambling: Productivity Commission Report (Rep. No. Volume 2). Melbourne: Commonwealth of Australia Productivity Commission.

  • Breen, R., & Zimmerman, M. (2002). Rapid onset of pathological gambling in machine gamblers. Journal of Gambling Studies, 18, 31–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crockford, D., Quickfall, J., Currie, S., Furtado, S., Suchowersky, O., & El-Guebaly, N. (2008). Prevalence of problem and pathological gambling in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Gambling Studies, 24, 411–422.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Currie, S. R., & Casey, D. M. (2007). Quantification and dimensionalization of gambling behaviour. In G. Smith, D. C. Hodgins, & R. J. Williams (Eds.), Research and measurement issues in gambling studies (pp. 156–173). Burlington: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Currie, S. R. et al. (2012). Examining the predictive validity of low risk gambling limits with longitudinal data. Addiction, 107, 400–406.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Currie, S., Hodgins, D. C., & Wang, J. L. (2008a). Canadian low-risk gambling limits: New evidence and limitations. Guelph, ON: Ontario Problem Research Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Currie, S. R., Hodgins, D. C., Wang, J., el-Guebaly, N., & Wynne, H. (2008b). In pursuit of empirically based responsible gambling limits. International Gambling Studies, 8, 209–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Currie, S. R., Hodgins, D. C., Wang, J., el-Guebaly, N., Wynne, H., & Chen, S. (2006). Risk of harm from gambling in the general population as a function of level of participation in gambling activities. Addiction, 101, 570–580.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Currie, S. R., Hodgins, D. C., Wang, J., el-Guebaly, N., Wynne, H., & Miller, N. V. (2008c). Replication of low-risk gambling limits using Canadian provincial gambling prevalence data. Journal of Gambling Studies, 24, 321–335.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Currie, S. R., Miller, N. V., Hodgins, D. C., & Wang, J. (2008d). Defining a threshold of harm from gambling for population health surveillance research. International Gambling Studies, 9, 19–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • el-Guebaly, N., Casey, D., Hodgins, D. C., Smith, G., Williams, R. J., Schopflocher, D. P., et al. (2008). Designing a longitudinal cohort study of gambling in Alberta: Rationale, methods, and challenges. Journal of Gambling Studies, 4, 479–504.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • el-Guebaly, N., Patten, S. B., Currie, S. R., Williams, J. M., Beck, C., & Maxwell, C. (2006). Epidemiological associations between gambling behavior, substance use and mood and anxiety disorders. Journal of Gambling Studies, 22, 275–287.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferris, J., & Wynne, H. J. (2001). The Canadian Problem Gambling Index final report Ottawa. ON: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gravel, R., & Beland, Y. (2005). The Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental health and well-being. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry (Revue Canadienne de Psychiatrie), 50, 573–579.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson, N. S., Roberts, L. J., Berns, S. B., & McGlinchey, J. B. (1999). Methods for defining and determining the clinical significance of treatment effects: Description, application, and alternatives. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67, 300–307.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johansson, A., Grant, J. E., Won Kim, S., Odlaug, B. L., & Gotestam, K. G. (2009). Risk factors for problematic gambling: A critical literature review. Journal of Gambling Studies, 25, 67–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Masse, R., Poulin, C., Dasa, C., Lambert, J., Belair, S., & Battaglini, A. (1998). Elaboration et validation d’un outil de mesure du bien-etre psychologique: L’emmbep. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 89, 357.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCready, J., & Adlaf, E. (2006). Performance and enhancement of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index: Report and recommendations Guelph. ON: Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mcmillen, J., & Wenzel, M. (2006). Measuring problem gambling: Assessment of three prevalence screens. International Gambling Studies, 6, 147–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, N. V., & Currie, S. R. (2008). A Canadian population level analysis of the roles of irrational gambling cognitions and risky gambling practices as correlates of gambling intensity and pathological gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 24, 257–274.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Orford, J., Wardle, H., Griffith, M., Sproston, K., & Erens, B. (2010). PGSI and DSM-IV in the 2007 British Gambling Prevalence Survey: Reliability, item response, factor structure and inter-scale agreement. International Gambling Studies, 10, 31–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raylu, N., & Oei, T. P. S. (2002). Pathological gambling: A comprehensive review. Clinical Psychology Review, 22, 1009–1062.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, G. J. (2010). Gambling policy and public opinion. Presentation at the Alberta Gaming Research Institute’s 9th Annual Conference (On-line).

  • Statistics Canada. (2002). Canadian Community Health Survey (Cycle 1.2)—Mental health and well-being user’s guide. Ottawa, ON: Statistics Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stinchfield, R., Govoni, R., & Frisch, G. R. (2007). A review of screening and assessment instruments for problem and pathological gambling. In G. Smith, D. C. Hodgins, & R. J. Williams (Eds.), Research and measurement issues in gambling studies (pp. 179–213). Burlington, MA: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strong, D. R., & Kahler, C. W. (2007). Evaluation of the continuum of gambling problems using the DSM-IV. Addiction, 102, 713–721.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weinstock, J., Ledgerwood, D. M., & Petry, N. M. (2007). Association between posttreatment gambling behavior and harm in pathological gamblers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 21(2), 185–193.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Welte, J., Barnes, G., Wieczorek, W., Tidwell, M.-C., & Parker, J. (2004). Risk factors for pathological gambling. Addictive Behaviors, 29, 323–335.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by research grants from the Alberta Gaming Research Institute and the Canadian Consortium for Gambling Research (consisting of Alberta Gaming Research Institute, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, Canadian Partnership for responsible Gambling, Manitoba Gaming Control Commission, Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation, Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre, Saskatchewan Health). The authors thank the other investigators on the Leisure, Lifestyle, and Lifecycle Project (Drs. Nady el-Guebaly, Gary Smith, Robert Williams, and Donald Schopflocher) for permission to use the LLLP data in this study. The authors also thank Lynda Edwards who helped in manuscript preparation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shawn R. Currie.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Currie, S.R., Hodgins, D.C. & Casey, D.M. Validity of the Problem Gambling Severity Index Interpretive Categories. J Gambl Stud 29, 311–327 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-012-9300-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-012-9300-6

Keywords

Navigation