Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Italian Version of the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS-I)

Abstract

The past decade has witnessed an expanded accessibility and popularity of gambling worldwide, and in Italy the phenomenon significantly increased. Nevertheless, little is known about the role of gambling cognitions among Italian individuals, and few scales assessing problem gambling have been validated. The purpose of the present study was to examine and validate the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale-Italian version (GRCS-I), based on the 23-item Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS). Two-tailed t tests, ANOVA, MANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression analyses were used for continuous variables, while χ(2) tests with Yates's correction for categorical variables. Cronbach's α was utilized to determine the internal consistency, and logistic regression analysis and the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to determine discriminant validity. Principal axis factoring with Oblimin rotation was applied, and then confirmatory factor analysis was used to cross-validate the factor structures. We extracted a five-factor solution that accounted for 60 % of variance. All 23 items had communalities and factor loadings were satisfactory, and the factor structures were similar to the original version of the measure. The Cronbach's α coefficients were adequate, and concurrent and discriminant validities of the GRCS were also confirmed. GRCS-I presented good psychometric properties and it demonstrated good validity and reliability, providing a valid and suitable tool for the assessment of gambling related cognitions among Italian individuals.

Post-traumatic stress and gambling related cognitions: Analyses in inpatient and online samples

“…Similarly, there are also clear links between specific GRCs (e.g., gambling related positive expectancies) and greater psychological distress in the form of depression and anxiety (Ciccarelli et al, 2017). These associations also seem to appear in a variety of cultural contexts, with studies of gamblers in Italy demonstrating links between GRCs and a variety of distress indicators such as anxiety, depression, and neuroticism (Iliceto et al, 2015). Similarly, in a Turkish sample, such cognitions were associated with greater negative affect (Arcan & Karanci, 2015).…”

Fallacious beliefs: Gambling specific and belief in the paranormal.

“…Additional studies of the GRCS have led to creation and validation of Italian (Iliceto et al, 2015), Turkish (Arcan & Karanci, 2015), and Chinese (Oei et al, 2007) versions of the measure (with the original factor structure supported in these subsequent studies). Higher GRCS scores have been found to be associated with problem gambling (Cosenza, Baldassarre, Matarazzo, & Nigro, 2014;Marmurek, Switzer, & D'Alvise, 2014, the increased likelihood of relapse in problem gambling , neuroticism (Iliceto et al, 2015), and "proneness to delusion" (Abdollahnejad, Delfabbro, & Denson, 2015). The initial validation report indicated significant gender differences on GRCS total scores and all subscales except illusion of control (Raylu & Oei, 2004).…”

Psychometric Properties of the Italian Versions of the Gambling Urge Scale (GUS) and the Gambling Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (GRSEQ)

“…With regard to the concurrent validity of the scale, the authors found significant correlations between GRCS total scores and the SOGS (r = 0.43). Recent research showed good psychometric properties of the Italian version of the GRCS (GRCS-I) in a sample of 511 adults from the Italian community, including reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.85) and concurrent validity with respect to the SOGS (Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficients were 0.56 for the GRCS total and 0.51, 0.38, 0.42, 0.50, and 0.49 for the five subscales, respectively) (Iliceto et al 2015).…”

“…The authors developed and validated the Gambling-Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS) to measure gambling-related cognitions. The scale has very good psychometric properties and has been translated and validated in a number of languages and cultural contexts, including Italy (Iliceto et al 2015). A number of studies found that problem gamblers are more likely to activate gambling-related cognitions than non-problem players and non-gamblers Joukhador et al 2003;Toneatto 1999;Walker 1992).…”