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Validation of the problem gambling severity index using confirmatory factor analysis and rasch modelling
Natalie V Miller1, Shawn R Currie, David C Hodgins
1University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research
|September 10, 2013
Summary
The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) effectively measures problem gambling severity in large populations. However, it shows limitations in assessing lower severity levels and has a slight bias in one item related to borrowing money.
Area of Science:
- Psychometrics
- Public Health
- Addiction Research
Background:
- The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) is a widely used tool for assessing gambling problem severity in population studies.
- Validating the PGSI's structure and item performance is crucial for accurate public health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm the one-factor structure of the PGSI using confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch modelling.
- To evaluate the PGSI's ability to measure the continuum of problem gambling severity.
- To identify differential item functioning (DIF) across gambler subpopulations.
Main Methods:
- Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch modelling were applied to a large, nationally representative sample (over 25,000 gamblers).
- Data were merged from the Canadian Community Health Survey and the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI).
Main Results:
- The PGSI demonstrated a robust one-factor structure, invariant across demographic variables (gender, age, income) and gambler types.
- Rasch modelling confirmed a well-fitting, unidimensional model with no miss-fitting items.
- The PGSI is more sensitive to moderate to severe problem gambling, with limitations in detecting low to moderate severity.
Conclusions:
- The PGSI is a psychometrically sound and reliable tool for assessing problem gambling severity in general population research.
- A single item regarding borrowing money showed DIF, performing differently for electronic gaming machine/casino gamblers versus others.
- The PGSI's utility may be limited for precisely measuring low to moderate problem gambling severity.
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