Evaluating the use of the Jonsson-Abbott Scale (JAS) among people with low risk of problem gambling

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Author(s): Forsström, David ; Kottorp, Anders ; Rozental, Alexander ; Lindner, Philip ; Jansson-Frojmark, Markus ; Carlbring, Per

Journal: Frontiers in Psychology

Year Published: 2022

Date Added: January 23, 2023

It is important to be able to understand individuals’ risk of gambling-related problems and level of negative consequences. The Jonsson-Abbott Scale (JAS) was developed to identify early signs of future problem gambling. The JAS includes questions that measure three factors related to gambling: overconsumption, reinforcement of gambling behaviour, and gambling fallacies (i.e., erroneous gambling beliefs). The researchers examined the psychometric properties of the JAS in a sample with a low-risk of problem gambling. They analyzed 1,413 responses from participants who endorsed at least one JAS item. The researchers found statistical support for the JAS as it was structured. A few questions could be further examined for possible removal from the scale. The JAS had good reliability. The overall score of each factor should be examined instead of just the total score, as the total score might not reflect the development of risks associated with gambling.

Citation: Forsström, D., Kottorp, A., Rozental, A., Lindner, P., Jansson-Fröjmark, M., & Carlbring, P. (2022). Psychometric properties of the Jonsson-Abbott Scale: Rasch and confirmatory factor analyses. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 936685. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.936685

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.936685

Keywords: gambling behaviours ; low-risk gambling ; psychometrics ; risk assessment ; risk behaviours

Conceptual Framework Factors: Resources - Risk Assessment ; Psychological Factors ; Environment - Low-Risk Limits ; Gambling Resources

Response Rate: A total of 2,257 participants completed the entire survey. This represents 47.5% of the invited participants. Of those who began the study, 95% completed it.

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: Sweden

Study Population: Participants were adults at least 18 years old, fluent in Swedish, and scored at least 12 points on the Jonsson-Abbott Scale (n = 1,413). Over half of participants were men (60.2%). On average, participants were 51 years old.

Sampling Procedure: Participants were recruited through a state-procured online survey company. Potential participants were selected to match the general Swedish population in terms of age and sex. Participants had to be between 18 and 85 years. They had to be fluent in Swedish and have access to a computer. This study focused on a subsample of 1,413 participants who endorsed at least one item of the Jonsson-Abbott Scale (i.e., score 12 or higher).

Study Funding:

The data collection was funded by the independent Svenska Spel research council.