Psychometric Validation of the Persian Version of the Problem Gambling Severity Index

Abstract

The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) has been the most frequently used instrument for prevalence studies for problem gambling in recent years. To date, there have been very few gambling studies among Persian populations. The objective of the present study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Persian version of the PGSI. The original version of the PGSI was translated and back-translated into Persian, followed by a pilot study. A sample of Iranian online gamblers (n = 858) was recruited utilizing social media platforms. Results showed that the Persian PGSI had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient = 0.90; composite reliability = 0.91) and moderate test-retest reliability after 4–6 weeks using intraclass coefficient (0.41 with 95% CI [.34, .49]). The maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis for one-factor PGSI model fitted well (χ2/df = 2.81, CFI = .974, SRMR = .028, PCLOSE > .05, RMSEA = .057, 90% CI [.037, .077]). As for criterion-related validity, the Persian PGSI score correlated with the score on the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, which assesses depression (r = .54, p < .01) and anxiety (r = .40, p < .01). The Persian PGSI is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the prevalence of problem gambling among Persian populations.