Separating problem gambling behaviours and negative consequences: An analysis of the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)’s structure

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Author(s): Tseng, Chen Hsiang ; Flack, Malcolm ; Caudwell, Kim M. ; Stevens, Matthew

Journal: Addictive Behaviors

Year Published: 2023

Date Added: December 22, 2022

The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) consists of nine items: four items assess problem gambling behaviours, and five items assess negative consequences of gambling. There is ongoing debate regarding whether it is helpful to separate the behavioural aspects from the negative consequences. The aim of this study was to examine the factor structure of the PGSI. The researchers analysed data from 3,740 Australian adults who had gambled in the past 12 months. They found that a two-factor structure of the PGSI provided a better fit to the data than a one-factor structure. The two factors were highly related to each other. These results suggest that problem gambling behaviours are related to negative consequences of gambling. However, the two are not necessarily the same. Separating the PGSI into two factors may be beneficial for research and intervention, depending on the objective.

Citation: Tseng, C. H., Flack, M., Caudwell, K. M., & Stevens, M. (2023). Separating problem gambling behaviors and negative consequences: Examining the factor structure of the PGSI. Addictive Behaviors, 136, 107496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107496

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107496

Keywords: gambling disorder ; gambling-related harm ; problem gambling

Conceptual Framework Factors: Resources - Risk Assessment ; Gambling Resources

Study Design: Secondary Data Analysis

Geographic Coverage: Australia, Northern Territory

Study Population: Adults who gambled at least once on one or more gambling activities in the past 12 months (n = 3740)

Sampling Procedure: Data were obtained from the 2018 Northern Territory Gambling Prevalence and Wellbeing Survey. In this survey, 5,000 adults were randomly sampled using applied dual frame (mobile and landline) sampling with a stratified random design, with broad proportional quotas set for region, age and gender.

Study Funding:

Funding for the 2018 Gambling Prevalence and Wellbeing Survey was provided by the Northern Territory Government Department of Attorney General and Justice via the Community Benefit Fund.