AI Article Synopsis

  • The rise of online gambling sites may lead to increased gambling problems, but they also allow for the implementation of measures like GamTest to help prevent these issues.
  • GamTest is a tool that assesses gambling behavior and provides personalized feedback, and this study validates its effectiveness using data from Nordic gambling sites collected in 2009.
  • The analysis reveals that GamTest effectively identifies five dimensions of problem gambling and emphasizes the need for personalized support, particularly addressing the emotional aspects tied to gambling behavior.

Article Abstract

Recent increases in the number of online gambling sites have made gambling more available, which may contribute to an increase in gambling problems. At the same time, online gambling provides opportunities to introduce measures intended to prevent problem gambling. GamTest is an online test of gambling behavior that provides information that can be used to give players individualized feedback and recommendations for action. The aim of this study is to explore the dimensionality of GamTest and validate it against the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and the gambler's own perceived problems. A recent psychometric approach, exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) is used. Well-defined constructs are identified in a two-step procedure fitting a traditional exploratory factor analysis model as well as a so-called bifactor model. Using data collected at four Nordic gambling sites in the autumn of 2009 (n = 10,402), the GamTest ESEM analyses indicate high correspondence with the players' own understanding of their problems and with the PGSI, a validated measure of problem gambling. We conclude that GamTest captures five dimensions of problematic gambling (i.e., overconsumption of money and time, and monetary, social and emotional negative consequences) with high reliability, and that the bifactor approach, composed of a general factor and specific residual factors, reproduces all these factors except one, the negative consequences emotional factor, which contributes to the dominant part of the general factor. The results underscore the importance of tailoring feedback and support to online gamblers with a particular focus on how to handle emotions in relation to their gambling behavior.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5445150PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10899-017-9676-4DOI Listing

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