Development of the Gambling Disorder Identification Test (G-DIT): Protocol for a Delphi Method Study.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Problem gambling research lacks a unified instrument for assessing gambling behavior, severity, and negative impacts.
• Existing measures vary widely in their scope and application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development protocol for the Gambling Disorder Identification Test (G-DIT).
• The G-DIT is a 9- to 12-item multiple-choice scale designed to assess gambling consumption, symptom severity, and negative consequences.
• It is modeled after established instruments like the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT).

Main Methods:

• The G-DIT development involves four steps: item identification from existing measures, expert review via an online Delphi process, pilot testing, and psychometric evaluation.
• This protocol details steps 1 (item identification) and 2 (Delphi process), and step 3 (pilot testing).
• The final psychometric evaluation (step 4) will involve a large sample of individuals with and without problem gambling behaviors.

Main Results:

• As of October 2018, the initial three steps of the G-DIT development (item identification, Delphi process, and pilot testing) are completed.
• The fourth step, psychometric evaluation, is currently in progress.

Conclusions:

• The use of an online Delphi study enhances the face and construct validity of the G-DIT.
• The G-DIT is anticipated to become a standard outcome measure for problem gambling research.
• It is expected to function effectively as a tool for identifying problem gambling in clinical settings.