Canadian Problem Gambling Index Research Articles

Association between problem gambling and personality traits: a longitudinal study among the general Norwegian population

ObjectiveThe present study investigates the longitudinal relationship between problematic gambling (PG) and the five factor model’s personality traits using autoregressive cross-lagged models.MethodsThe data used in the current study was collected by a national survey in 2013 (n = 10,081) and a follow-up study (n = 5,848) in 2015. PG was measured using Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) while personality was assessed using Mini-International Personality Item Pool (MINI-IPIP). Participants who completed the CPGI and all the personality items during both waves (n = 2,702) were analysed.ResultsThe results show that neuroticism had positive cross-lagged associations with CPGI. In contrast, conscientiousness and agreeableness in 2013 were found to have inverse cross-lagged effect on CPGI in 2015. Finally, openness and extraversion did not have any cross-lagged associations with CPGI.ConclusionPG poses serious negative implications for the involved individuals as well as their associated close social circle. Hence, it is important to understand predictors of PG for prevention purposes. Personality traits are one of the influential frameworks for examining uncontrolled psychopathological behaviors like PG. The study findings offer significant theoretical as well as practical implications.

Online Gambling Practices and Related Problems in Five European Countries: Findings from the Electronic Gam(bl)ing Multinational EmpiricalSurvey(E-GAMES) Project.

Online gambling has demonstrated a significant and growing impact on overall gambling involvement. To examine online gambling practices and associated problems, we conducted surveys with national samples of Internet users in several European countries. The objective of this paper is to provide a portrait of online gambling practices and problems in five European countries (i.e., France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Poland) with different online gambling regulatory systems. This paper is the first presenting national comparisons of online gambling practices. Participants reported on their gameplay patterns, demographic characteristics, gambling-related problems, gambling frequency, average spending on different online gambling activities, and offline gambling participation over the past 12months. The Problem Gambling Severity Index was used to assess the severity of gambling problems in relation to online gambling (Ferris & Wynne, 2001 in The Canadian Problem Gambling Index: Final report, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, 2001). Pairwise logistic regressions examined the association between problem gambling and sociodemographic variables as well as gambling patterns and problem gambling. In all countries except Italy, the most popular online gambling activity was lotteries with nearly three quarters of participants reporting participation. The prevalence of at-risk and problem gambling was high in all countries with Poland reporting the highest prevalence and Switzerland the lowest. Gamblers who participated in gambling activities other than lottery were more likely to experience gambling-related problems. The rates in the present study are well above the levels usually found in surveys. High online gambling frequency, high spending, and participation in multiple online gambling activities were significantly associated with experiencing gambling-related problems.

Addictive Behaviors, Depression, and Quality of Life among Korean Fishermen.

This study investigated addictive behaviors (alcohol dependence and gambling tendencies), depression, and quality of life (QoL) among Korean fishermen in the Jeju Island region, Korea. The study utilized the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Korean version, the Korean version of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Korean version of the World Health Organization QOL-BREF to measure the study variables. The results showed that 18.1% of the fishermen had alcohol dependence and 9.9% abused alcohol, 13.6% were categorized as problem gamblers, 15.2% were moderate risk gamblers, and 14.4% were low-risk gamblers; 25.1% and 20.8% suffered from severe and mild depression, respectively. The mean QoL score was 3.13 ± 0.56, and the psychological health section scored the highest. The degree of alcohol dependence varied by age, education level, and job satisfaction; gambling tendency varied by age, job position, and job satisfaction; depression varied by religion and job satisfaction; QoL varied by religion and job satisfaction. Alcohol dependence, gambling tendency, and depression were significantly negatively correlated with QoL. Specifically, higher levels of alcohol dependence were associated with lower QoL scores in the subcategories of physical health and psychological health, while higher levels of gambling tendencies were associated with lower QoL scores in the subcategories of physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and general subcategories. Finally, higher levels of depression were associated with lower QoL scores across all five subcategories. Overall, participants exhibited remarkably elevated levels of alcohol dependence, gambling tendencies, and depression, and lower QoL compared with the general population. Further efforts are required to increase Korean fishermen's job satisfaction to improve these problems. In addition, public health policies must address and promote fishermen's QoL.

Student Gambling: Involvement and Prevalence of Problem Gambling among Sports Bettors of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Problem gambling refers to the adverse effects on the gambler, on other individuals, his/her social life or even on the community as a result of the individual’s excessive gambling behaviour. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the involvement, prevalence and counselling implication of problem gambling among student sports bettors of the University of Cape Coast. The study explored the various sub-types of gambling that students are involved in and are prevalent in the University. The Pathways Model of Blaszczynski and Nower was used in identifying subtypes of problem gamblers. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A sample size of 351 was used from four colleges of the University of Cape Coast. The researchers further used disproportionate stratified sampling technique to draw from each college the number required for the study. The Canadian Problem Gambling Index on a whole recorded Cronbach alpha value of .81. Means, standard deviation and percentages were used in the data analysis. It was found that non-problem gamblers and problem gamblers were most prevalent among the sub-types. Also, students were found to involve in gambling mostly twice or more in a week. On timely basis, 25mins or more were spent on sports betting. It was recommended among other things that a proposed ‘Gaming Research Unit’ under the auspices of the Department of Education and Psychology, should be set up to ensure the screening of students who are low-risk, moderate-risk or problem gambler and referred them for guidance and counselling and also organise gambling educational programmes and awareness seminars in the University of Cape Coast. Keywords: Problem Gambling, Sports bettors, Prevalence, Student gambling, Involvement DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-5-01 Publication date: February 28 th 2023

Examination of the Problem Gambling Severity Index for Use with Older Adults: A Rasch Model Approach.

Research and prevalence studies commonly use the nine-item Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI; Ferris and Wynne in The Canadian Problem Gambling Index, 2001) to measure problem gambling severity in older adults. However, the appropriateness of the PGSI for use with older adults must be evaluated to ensure accurate interpretation of scores. This study evaluated the PGSI with older adults that gamble using a Rasch model approach, which has not yet been examined in the literature. Data from the Quinte Longitudinal Study (Wiiliams et al. in The Quinte Longitudinal Study of Gambling and Problem Gambling 2006-2011, Bay of Quinte region, Ontario [Canada] (V28), 2014) were utilized, accessed through the Gambling Research Exchange of Ontario (GREO). Using WINSTEPS.V5, a Rasch rating scale model was applied to an older adult sample from Ontario, Canada (n = 571, Mage = 66, range = 60-80 +) to assess: (1) the dimensionality and fit between individual PGSI items and the underlying latent construct of problem gambling; (2) utility of items and response options; and (3) potential differential item functioning (DIF) between genders. Using a larger sample (N = 3206, Mage = 45, range = 18-80 +), DIF was examined across three age subgroups. Results supported unidimensionality of the PGSI and item polarity (rpm range = 0.42-0.85). Infit and outfit statistics showed mixed model misfit for three items. The use of three response options were deemed productive for measurement, but almost always was not frequently endorsed. Model-person separation (1.00) and reliability (0.50) were poor, and model-item separation (6.12) and reliability (0.97) were excellent. There was no significant DIF between older adults by gender. Three items showed significant DIF between older and younger adults. Possible modifications to improve the PGSI for use with older adults are discussed.

At-risk gambling in patients with severe psychiatric illness and in community subjects matched for age and sex

In the recent literature the rates of gambling in psychiatric patients have been compared only indirectly with those found in community samples and no study has so far matched a clinical sample with community controls. We selected 875 outpatients attending two community mental health centers and 3.500 community subjects, matched for age and sex. At-risk gambling was defined according to the four categories of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) scores: 0 no-risk, 1-2 low-risk, 3-7 moderate-risk, 8+ high-risk. Data were also collected on substance, alcohol, and tobacco use. Patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, cluster B personality. At-risk gambling was significantly higher in psychiatric patients compared to community subjects. In the univariate multinomial logistic regression analysis, high-risk gambling was associated with lifetime substance use and being unmarried, moderate-risk with age at onset of alcohol use and lifetime tobacco use, and low-risk with higher education. In the multinomial logistic regression analysis high risk-gambling in psychiatric patients was four times that of community controls, while in substance users high-risk gambling was two times that of non-users. The results suggest that screening for gambling could improve the care of psychiatric patients who suffer from a comorbid behavioral addiction.

Is a sense of community belonging associated with problem gambling in Canada?

Despite the increasing demand for public health measures to prevent problem gambling, few studies have examined the association between community characteristics and problem gambling. The aim of this nationally representative cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between a sense of community belonging and problem gambling in Canada. We also examined whether this relationship was modified by sex and marital status. Canadian Community Health Survey (2013-2014) data from 38,968 residents of Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia were analyzed. Problem gambling was assessed using the Canadian Problem Gambling Index. We estimated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for problem gambling. The prevalence of problem gambling was 1.4% (1.9% among males; 0.9% among females). We observed an inverse dose-response relationship between a sense of community belonging and problem gambling. Compared with those with a very strong sense of community belonging, the adjusted ORs for problem gambling were 1.07 (95% CI 0.65-1.76) for a somewhat strong sense, 1.27 (95% CI 0.77-2.11) for a somewhat weak sense, and 2.32 (95% CI 1.34-4.02) for a very weak sense of community belonging. The association was more prominent among females (except for those widowed/divorced/separated), whereas no clear association was found among males, irrespective of marital status. When implementing public health measures to reduce problem gambling, it would be useful to account for possible differential impacts of a sense of community belonging by sex and marital status, which may reflect significant social contexts among residents.

Mental health among elite athletes in Norway during a selected period of the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of mental health problems and satisfaction with life among different groups of elite athletes during a selected period of the COVID-19 pandemic and examine how COVID-19...

Comparison of Psychological Status and Investment Style Between Bitcoin Investors and Share Investors.

Bitcoin has unique characteristics that have inspired people to invest in it as well as distinct drawbacks. With a rapid increase in Bitcoin prices in the short term, more investors enthusiastically began investing in it, raising concerns about a speculative bubble. This study investigated the multiple factors involved in the Bitcoin craze despite concerns about its shortcomings. In what concerns to personality traits and psychological states, online use patterns, and investment patterns, we first hypothesized that Bitcoin investors would show differences in multiple factors when compared to share investors. Based on our assumptions about these differences, we secondly hypothesized that investors’ personality, psychological states, and investment patterns could predict whether they would invest in Bitcoin or shares. In total, 307 respondents completed the research protocol and were sorted into Bitcoin investors (n = 101), share investors (n = 102), and non-investors (n = 104). A self-report questionnaire on demographic data, online use patterns, investment patterns as well as the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) scale, Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised-Short (TCI-RS), Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), trait anxiety part of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T), and the Korean version of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (K-CPGI) were administered. The results of this study indicated that Bitcoin investments can be attributed to the interaction of multiple factors, among which personality, psychological states, and investment patterns are particularly important. Specifically, the investment pattern is the strongest predictive factor for Bitcoin investment. Bitcoin investors were distinct with regard to higher novelty seeking, higher gambling tendencies, and unique investment patterns. Thus, personality, psychological states, and investment patterns could explain the substantial investments in Bitcoin.

Impulsiveness and cyclothymic traits of affective temperament as predictors of risky gambling behavior.

To investigate bipolar traits and impulsiveness in pathological gamblers, compared to non-pathological gamblers and non-gambling general population. To investigate interaction between traits of affective temperament, impulsiveness and the severity of pathological gambling. 139 participants (63 women, 76 men; mean age: 30.32; SD = 10.69) were included in the study. The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale was used to evaluate impulsiveness and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa and San Diego Autoquestionnaire was used to evaluate affective temperamental traits. The participants were also screened for bipolar affective disorder spectrum using the Mood Disorder Questionnaire and the Hypomania Checklist-32.The Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) was used to evaluate the severity of pathologicalgambling in the assessed population. Polish versions of the questionnaires were filled out anonymously via the internet. Pathological gamblers (N =36) scored higher on ‛Motor impulsiveness', ‛Cyclothymic'and ‛Irritability'subscales versus non-pathological gamblers (N =61) and non-gamblers (N = 42). Cyclothymic and motor impulsiveness significantly predicted CPGI scores. Motor impulsiveness was found to moderate the influence of cyclothymic affective temperamental traits on pathological gambling. Our data support prior reports of higher impulsivity traits and traits from the bipolar spectrum among pathological gamblers. The results indicate that the influence of affective temperamental traits on pathological gambling severity is moderated by impulsiveness.

The Association of Problematic Internet Shopping with Dissociation among South Korean Internet Users.

Background: This study examined patterns of problematic shopping behavior by South Korean internet users to investigate the association between problematic internet shopping (PIS) and dissociative experiences.; Methods: Five hundred and ninety eight participants from 20–69 years old were recruited through an online panel survey. We gathered information about sociodemographic characteristics, alcohol use, caffeine intake, and online shopping behaviors. Psychopathological assessments included Korean version of dissociative experience scale (DES-K), Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI-K), the modified Stress Response Inventory (SRI-MF), the Barratt Impulsive Scale-11-Revised (BIS-K). We used multiple logistic regression analysis with the Richmond compulsive buying scale (RCBS-K) as the dependent variable.; Results: The prevalence of shoppers with internet-based problem shopping was 12.5%. The amount of time spent on online shopping was correlated with PIS severity (OR = 1.008, p < 0.01). The risk of PIS was related to an increased tendency toward dissociation (OR = 1.044, p < 0.001) and impulsivity (OR = 1.046, p < 0.05). Conclusions: PIS participants with dissociation showed higher levels of perceived stress, gambling problems, and impulsivity than did PIS participants without dissociation. This study suggests that dissociation was associated with a higher burden of PIS as it was connected to poor mental health problems.

Gambling Problem by Gambler Sub-Types among College Students in Korea

This study aims to investigate a seriousness of gambling problems by gambler sub-type among college students in Korea. Data were collected from 581 college students of Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheong-do, and Gyeongsang-do area through the questionnaire and a total of 577 questionnaires were statistically processed excluding the questionnaires of missing answers. To analyze the gambling problems by gambler sub-types among college students, a cross-sectional research design was used in the study. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Among the 577 respondents of this study, 62.2% had gambling experience and especially 6.1% had illegal gambling experience. The prevalence rate of gambling addiction by the Canadian problem gambling index was 14.0% in this study. A significant statistical difference between gambler sub-types in gender, college grade, spending money, beginning of the first gambling, illegal gambling experience, route to start gambling, self-esteem, impulsivity, and irrational gambling belief was found in this study. The number of respondents who knew free counselling centers when there was a gambling problem was only 20 (3.5%), so it is quite required to carry out preventive education and to publicize free counselling centers for a gambling problem. In case that the respondents have a gambling problem, what they wanted to be supported most was psychotherapy and counseling, family counseling, hospital treatment, group therapy or Gamblers Anonymous meeting, and financial and legal consultation. It is required to continue further surveys on gambling among college students and to take a proper measure preventing a gambling problem.

Prevalence of problem gambling in an employed population in Brittany, France.

Some employees may have recourse to gambling, notably as an adaptive strategy. Although many studies have been performed on specific occupational groups (i.e. gambling industry, transportation or teaching), none have been conducted with workers followed-up by Occupational Health Services (OHS). Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of problem gambling in an employed population and its links with work. We performed a cross-sectional study between November 2016 and April 2017, in an OHS in France. We evaluated the prevalence of gambling using the Lie or Bet questionnaire and the Canadian Problem Gambling Index. Among the 410 employees included, 138 (33.7%) had gambled in the previous year, 12 (2.9%) considered their gambling experience to be work-related, 13 (3.2%) were identified as problem gamblers. The influence of colleagues and the workplace hierarchy and ease of access to gambling (in tobacco shops, bars…) could be risk factors. Screening for gambling behavior could be offered by occupational health services, using the Lie or Bet, especially for employees exposed to readily available gambling opportunities at their workplace.

Problem Gambling in Greece: Prevalence and Risk Factors During the Financial Crisis.

In Greece no study has ever been conducted on the prevalence of problem gambling. Therefore, a cross-sectional survey was carried out amid the recession aiming to (1) estimate past year prevalence of problem gambling, (2) explore socio-economic and demographic differences among gamblers and non gamblers, (3) explore socio-economic and demographic differences among gamblers who started gambling prior and during the downturn and (4) identify its risk factors with a special interest in the influence of the recession. To this end, data emanating from a telephone and patron survey were combined. A random and representative sample of 3.404 people participated in the telephone survey and 2.400 in the patron survey. The interview schedule was the same in both studies. The presence of problem gambling was assessed with the Canadian Problem Gambling Index. Information on participants' socio-economic and demographic characteristics as well as their ways of dealing financially with the crisis were collected. Findings indicated that 2.4% of respondents met criteria for problem gambling. Male gender, minority status, living with family of origin, low educational level and low to zero income were found to constitute the risk factors of the disorder. Moreover, having started gambling during the recession increased the odds of suffering from problem gambling; however this finding was gender-specific. Thus, people end up in problem gambling through various pathways, with these trajectories being different for men and women. Any intervention should address the complexity of the issue and be tailored by gender.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Is a Risk Factor for Multiple Addictions in Police Officers Hospitalized for Alcohol

Background: In police officers, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD), but we lack data on the association between PTSD and other substance-related and addictive disorders. Objectives: We assessed whether PTSD could be a risk factor for different substance-related and addictive disorders in police officers, including alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and gambling. Method: This cross-sectional study included all police officers admitted consecutively for alcohol to an inpatient ward dedicated to police officers (Le Courbat rehabilitation center, France; n= 133). Each patient completed self-administered questionnaires that assessed lifetime exposure to potentially traumatic events (Life Event Checklist for DSM-5), PTSD severity and diagnosis (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5), AUD severity (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test [AUDIT]), tobacco dependence (Fagerström test for Nicotine Dependence), cannabis dependence (Cannabis Abuse Screening test), and gambling disorder (Canadian Problem Gambling Index). Results: Mean AUDIT score was 23.7 ± 8.0; 66.2% had an AUDIT score ≥20. Our sample comprised a high prevalence for PTSD (38.3%) and for substance-related and addictive disorders: tobacco dependence (68.4%), cannabis dependence (3.8%), and pathological gambling (3%). Patients with PTSD experienced higher lifetime exposure to traumatic experiences: physical assault, severe human suffering, sudden accidental death of another person, and other types of stressful events/experiences. In multiple linear regressions adjusted for age, sex, and marital status, PTSD was a significant predictor of the severity of AUD and tobacco use disorder, but not of the severity of cannabis use disorder nor gambling disorder. Conclusions: PTSD is common in police officers hospitalized for alcohol and associated with a higher severity of some addictive disorders (alcohol/tobacco). PTSD and its comorbid addictive disorders should be systematically screened and treated in this population.

At-risk gambling in patients with severe mental illness: Prevalence and associated features.

Background and aimsThe primary objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of at-risk gambling in a large, unselected sample of outpatients attending two community mental health centers, to estimate rates according to the main diagnosis, and to evaluate risk factors for gambling.MethodsAll patients attending the centers were evaluated with the Canadian Problem Gambling Index and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Diagnoses were checked with the treating psychiatrists and after a chart review of the university hospital discharge diagnoses.ResultsThe rate of at-risk gambling in 900 patients was 5.3%. In those who gambled over the last year, 10.1% were at-risk gamblers. The rates in the main diagnostic groups were: 4.7% schizophrenia and related disorders, 4.9% bipolar disorder, 5.6% unipolar depression, and 6.6% cluster B personality disorder. In 52.1% of the cases, at-risk gambling preceded the onset of a major psychiatric disorder. In a linear regression analysis, a family history of gambling disorder, psychiatric comorbidities, drug abuse/dependence, and tobacco smoking were significantly associated with at-risk gambling.Discussion and conclusionThe results of this study evidenced a higher rate of at-risk gambling compared to community estimates and call for a careful screening for gambling in the general psychiatric population.

Are Video Games a Gateway to Gambling? A Longitudinal Study Based on a Representative Norwegian Sample

The scope and variety of video games and monetary gambling opportunities are expanding rapidly. In many ways, these forms of entertainment are converging on digital and online video games and gambling sites. However, little is known about the relationship between video gaming and gambling. The present study explored the possibility of a directional relationship between measures of problem gaming and problem gambling, while also controlling for the influence of sex and age. In contrast to most previous investigations which are based on cross-sectional designs and non-representative samples, the present study utilized a longitudinal design conducted over 2 years (2013, 2015) and comprising 4601 participants (males 47.2%, age range 16–74) drawn from a random sample from the general population. Video gaming and gambling were assessed using the Gaming Addiction Scale for Adolescents and the Canadian Problem Gambling Index, respectively. Using an autoregressive cross-lagged structural equation model, we found a positive relationship between scores on problematic gaming and later scores on problematic gambling, whereas we found no evidence of the reverse relationship. Hence, video gaming problems appear to be a gateway behavior to problematic gambling behavior. In future research, one should continue to monitor the possible reciprocal behavioral influences between gambling and video gaming.

EEG correlates associated with the severity of gambling disorder and serum BDNF levels in patients with gambling disorder.

Background and aimsThis study aimed to evaluate the association between the severity of pathological gambling, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level, and the characteristics of quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) in patients with gambling disorder.MethodsA total of 55 male patients aged 18–65 with gambling disorder participated. The severity of pathological gambling was assessed with the nine-item Problem Gambling Severity Index from the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI-PGSI). The Beck Depression Inventory and Lubben Social Network Scale were also assessed. Serum BDNF levels were assessed from blood samples. The resting-state EEG was recorded while the eyes were closed, and the absolute power of five frequency bands was analyzed: delta (1–4 Hz), theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), beta (12–30 Hz), and gamma (30–50 Hz).ResultsSerum BDNF level was positively correlated with theta power in the right parietal region (P4, r = .403, p = .011), beta power in the right parietal region (P4, r = .456, p = .010), and beta power in the right temporal region (T8, r = .421, p = .008). Gambling severity (CPGI-PGSI) was positively correlated with absolute beta power in the left frontal region (F7, r = .284, p = .043) and central region [(C3, r = .292, p = .038), (C4, r = .304, p = .030)].ConclusionsThese findings support the hypothesis that right-dominant lateralized correlations between BDNF and beta and theta power reflect right-dominant brain activation in addiction. The positive correlations between beta power and the severity of gambling disorder may be associated with hyperexcitability and increased cravings. These findings contribute to a better understanding of brain-based electrophysiological changes and BDNF levels in patients with pathological gambling.

Validation of a short Korean version of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale.

The purpose of the present study was to validate a Korean version of the short UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS-P). This study included 724 undergraduate students who completed the following questionnaires: the Korean UPPS-P, Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, and Canadian Problem Gambling Index. A confirmatory factor analysis supported a 5-factor interrelated model. The internal consistency coefficients for the 5 factors of the short Korean UPPS-P were acceptable (.65-.78 across the subscales), and the subscales of the short Korean UPPS-P were strongly correlated with the long UPPS-P subscales. External validity was demonstrated by associations between the subfactors of impulsivity and various psychopathologies, including depression, anxiety, binge eating, alcohol abuse, and gambling. The present results indicate that the short Korean version of the UPPS-P may be a useful and reliable alternative to the original long-form UPPS-P.

Assessing the differential impacts of online, mixed, and offline gambling

The emergence of new behaviours associated with communication technologies has prompted questions about the evolution of gambling in the population. The development of online gambling gave rise to public health concerns back 20 years ago. Current knowledge indicates that online gamblers generally tend to show more psychosocial problems than offline gamblers. But those portraits tend to neglect the differences between pure and mixed online gamblers. The goal of this research is to assess if, and to what extent, online gambling generates more harmful impacts on the health and well-being in a sample of adult gamblers in Québec. The propensity score matching method was chosen to assess the variable prevalence of impacts on a sample of 810 regular gamblers recruited from an online panel. They were divided into sub-groups: pure online gamblers (n = 143), mixed online gamblers (n = 125), and a control group of offline gamblers (n = 542). The study has revealed that among online gamblers and their entourage, online gambling does, in fact, result in an extra burden of impacts in several aspects of their lives: work, relationships, mental/physical health, finances, quality of life, and problem gambling according to the Canadian Problem Gambling Index. Results also show that combined with offline gambling, online gambling significantly increases the burden of impacts in terms of both the number and intensity of impacts. This is the first empirical study using propensity score matching to asses the incremental impacts of online gambling by separating pure and mixed gamblers and to compare them to offline gamblers.