Revised cutoff scores for the South Oaks Gambling Screen based on sex and gambling severity

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Author(s): Lucas, Ignacio ; Granero, Roser ; Mora-Maltas, Bernat ; Fernández-Aranda, Fernando ; Jiménez-Murcia, Susana

Journal: Journal of Behavioral Addictions

Year Published: 2024

Date Added: January 28, 2025

The purpose of this study was to establish and validate cutoff scores for the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) taking into account severity levels and sex. The researchers analyzed data from 4,516 patients who sought treatment for gambling disorder (GD) at a public hospital in Spain. Based on the findings, the researchers suggest that the cutoff should be 8 (instead of 5) to determine the probable presence of GD in men. The suggested cutoff is 7 for women. The findings also suggest that the SOGS can be used to assess levels of severity of GD. The suggested cutoff value for moderate severity is 9 for men and 8 for women. A score of 10 or greater suggests a high risk of severe GD for both sexes. These cutoff scores were validated using external measures related to GD, such as worse psychopathological symptoms and more dysfunctional personality traits.

Citation: Lucas, I., Granero, R., Mora-Maltas, B., Fernández-Aranda, F., & Jiménez-Murcia, S. (2024). Rethinking cutoff values for the South Oaks Gambling Screen: Sex-specific insights and DSM-5 severity adjustments in Gambling Disorder assessment. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 13(4), 1003–1013. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2024.00053

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2024.00053

Keywords: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V (DSM-5) ; gambling disorder ; measurement

Topics: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

Conceptual Framework Factors: Resources - Risk Assessment ; Social - Social Demographics ; Social Factors ; Gambling Resources

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: Spain

Study Population: Patients (n=4,516) who sought treatment for gambling disorder

Sampling Procedure: Participants were recruited from patients who sought treatment in the Behavioural Addictions Unit of the University Hospital of Bellvitge. The recruitment took place between January 2005 and March 2023.

Study Funding:

This study received funding through CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya; the Delegación del Gobierno para el Plan Nacional sobre Drogas; Plan Nacional sobre Drogas Convocatoria desubvenciones para prooyectos de investigación financiados con fondos eueropeos 2022; Ministerio de Sciencia e Innovación; Instituto de Salud Carlos III; AGAUR-Generalitat de Catalunya; and European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.