Separating problem gambling behaviors and negative consequences: Examining the factor structure of the PGSI

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Conceptualizing and measuring problem gambling remains debated.
• The distinction between gambling behaviors and their consequences is unclear.
• Existing measures may not adequately differentiate these facets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the factor structure of the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).
• To determine if a two-factor model better represents problem gambling than a one-factor model.
• To explore the relationship between gambling behaviors and gambling-related harms.

Main Methods:

• Confirmatory factor analyses were used.
• Data from the 2018 Northern Territory Gambling Prevalence and Wellbeing Survey (n=3,740 gamblers) were analyzed.
• The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) was the primary measure.

Main Results:

• A two-factor model showed a significantly better fit than a one-factor model.
• The two factors explained unique variance in gambling-related harms.
• Problem gambling behaviors and negative consequences were highly correlated but not synonymous.

Conclusions:

• Differentiating behavioral and consequential elements of problem gambling is beneficial.
• This distinction can inform public health interventions for gambling.
• Measuring behavioral features is valuable for individual-level clinical interventions.