Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
06:01
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers
Published on: November 9, 2019
Differences in pathological gambling prevalence estimates: facts or artefacts?
Monika Sassen1, Ludwig Kraus, Gerhard Bühringer
1IFT Institut für Therapieforschung, Munich, Germany. sassen@ift.de
International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research
|November 25, 2011
Summary
Comparing gambling prevalence estimates is challenging due to inconsistent survey methods. This study found significant variations in problem gambling (PrG) and pathological gambling (PG) rates, limiting cross-country comparisons.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Comparing prevalence estimates of problem gambling (PrG) and pathological gambling (PG) is common practice.
- Recent convergence in survey methodology to justify these comparisons is questioned.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the convergence of survey methodology in gambling research.
- To assess the comparability of prevalence estimates for PrG and PG within and between countries.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of peer-reviewed gambling studies published between 2000 and 2010.
- Critical review of 39 studies reporting national prevalence data for PrG and PG.
Main Results:
- Wide ranges in estimated PrG/PG rates were found for adults, adolescents, and college students.
- Comparability of prevalence estimates is limited by variations in survey design, instruments, and sampling.
Conclusions:
- Despite discussions on methodological consistency, significant variations persist in gambling research.
- Improved comparability requires standardized, valid, and reliable survey instruments and methodologies.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the primary classification system for mental health disorders, providing standardized diagnostic criteria for clinicians and researchers. First published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions to reflect evolving psychiatric understanding. The fifth edition, DSM-5, released in 2013, introduced key updates that expanded diagnostic categories and modified diagnostic...
01:22Bias
Bias refers to any tendency that prevents a question from being considered unprejudiced. In research, bias occurs when one outcome or answer is selected or encouraged over others in sampling or testing. Bias can occur during any research phase, including study design, data collection, analysis, and publication.
In statistics, a sampling bias is created when a sample is collected from a population, and some members of the population are not as likely to be chosen as others (remember, each member...
In statistics, a sampling bias is created when a sample is collected from a population, and some members of the population are not as likely to be chosen as others (remember, each member...
01:52Regression Toward the Mean
Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
01:24Testing a Claim about Population Proportion
A complete procedure for testing a claim about a population proportion is provided here.
There are two methods of testing a claim about a population proportion: (1) Using the sample proportion from the data where a binomial distribution is approximated to the normal distribution and (2) Using the binomial probabilities calculated from the data.
The first method uses normal distribution as an approximation to the binomial distribution. The requirements are as follows: sample size is large...
There are two methods of testing a claim about a population proportion: (1) Using the sample proportion from the data where a binomial distribution is approximated to the normal distribution and (2) Using the binomial probabilities calculated from the data.
The first method uses normal distribution as an approximation to the binomial distribution. The requirements are as follows: sample size is large...
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...