Evaluating the Gambling Attitudes and Beliefs Survey (GABS) as a measure with more than one dimension

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Author(s): Gehlenborg, Josefine ; Moritz, Steffen ; Bücker, Lara

Journal: Journal of Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2022

Date Added: August 03, 2022

The Gambling Attitudes and Beliefs Survey (GABS) is a measure of irrational beliefs and positive attitudes towards gambling. There has been debate among researchers whether the GABS has more than one dimension. This study re-examined the dimensional structure of the GABS using its short 15-item version. Data came from the baseline assessments of two clinical trials examining an online intervention for gambling problems. The researchers found the GABS to have three dimensions. These were labelled “sensation seeking/illusion of control”, “luck/gambler’s fallacy”, and “attitude/emotions”. Higher scores on these dimensions were associated with more severe gambling problems. Also, people who played both chance-based and skill-based games scored higher on sensation seeking/illusion of control than those who played chance-based games only.

Citation: Gehlenborg, J., Moritz, S., & Bücker, L. (2022). The dimensional structure of the Gambling Attitudes and Beliefs Survey: Challenging the assumption of the unidimensionality of gambling‑specific cognitive distortions. Journal of Gambling Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-022-10133-7

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-022-10133-7

Keywords: cognitive biases ; cognitive distortions ; gambling ; gambling attitudes ; gambling beliefs ; irrational beliefs ; multidimensional

Topics: Gambling Cognitions

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological - Social Learning ; Cultural - Socio-cultural Attitudes ; Psychological Factors ; Cultural - Religion and Other Belief Systems ; Psychological - Judgement and Decision Making

Study Design: Evaluation Design

Study Population: Adults who self-reported having problems with gambling and emotional distress, had sufficient command of the German language, and had Internet access (N = 415). Exclusion criteria were acute suicidality or a lifetime diagnosis of a psychotic disorder.

Sampling Procedure: The researchers used data from the baseline assessments of two randomised controlled trials on the effective of unguided Internet-based interventions. Participants for the RCTs were recruited online via gambling- and addiction-related Internet forums, Facebook® groups, and information websites. Recruitment also occurred via a Google AdWords® campaign that was run in German-speaking countries.

Study Funding:

Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.