Refining prevalence estimates of pathological gambling

Abstract

Pathological gambling was officially defined as a psychiatric illness by APA in 1980. The authors report on the results of a state-wide study in New York that indicated significant differences between problem gamblers in the general population and pathological gamblers entering publicly funded treatment programs. These results, based on telephone interviews using standardized assessment instruments with 1,000 persons, raise serious clinical and programmatic issues regarding the development and organization of appropriate services for pathological gamblers. They also point to the fact that large segments of the general population are not receiving needed services.

Prevalence of the Addictions: A Problem of the Majority or the Minority?

“…Among adults, prevalence of gambling addiction is between 1% and 3% of the U.S. population as well as other countries such as Australia, Canada, China, Norway, Switzerland, and Spain (Becona, 1993; Bondolfi, Osiek, & Ferrero, 2000; Cook, 1987; Desai, Desai, & Potenza, 2007; French et al, 2008; Griffiths, 2009a; Griffiths, 2009b; Ladouceur, Jacques, Ferland, & Giroux, 1999b; Petry, 2005, 2007; Philippe & Vallerand, 2007; Schofield, Mummery, Wang, & Dickson, 2004 [lifetime]; Shaffer et al, 1999; Shaffer & Hall, 2001; Sommers, 1988; Stucki & Rihs-Middel, 2007; Volberg, 1994 [lifetime]; Volberg & Steadman, 1988 [lifetime]; Wong & So, 2003), although a two large-sample studies found a prevalence of 0.15% in Norwegian adults (Gotestam & Johansson, 2003) and 4.2% among Texas, U.S. adults (Feigelman, Wallisch, & Lesieur, 1998 [lifetime measure]). Current prevalence rates of pathological gambling may be as high as 15% in some unique populations of teens and adults (e.g., Aboriginal population in North America; Wardman, el-Guebaly, & Hodgins, 2001).…”

Brief motivational feedback and cognitive behavioral interventions for prevention of disordered gambling: a randomized clinical trial

“…A score ≥3 (range: 0-20) denotes disordered gambling [47]. The SOGS was modified to assess internet gambling frequency and expand gambling frequency response options from a 3-point to a 5-point scale with anchors of 0 times, 1-10 times, More than 10 times, Less than weekly, Weekly or More than weekly, but less than daily, and Daily , allowing for greater precision for use in the PFI.…”

Male Batterers’ Alcohol Use and Gambling Behavior

“…The SOGS is a 20-item measure based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (APA 1994) criteria for pathological gambling. Scores range from 0 to 20, with scores of 5 or more indicative of probable pathological gambling (Lesieur and Blume 1987; Volberg and Steadman 1988). Researchers have also used scores of 3 or higher to indicate problem gambling (Volberg and Steadman 1988).…”

“…Scores range from 0 to 20, with scores of 5 or more indicative of probable pathological gambling (Lesieur and Blume 1987; Volberg and Steadman 1988). Researchers have also used scores of 3 or higher to indicate problem gambling (Volberg and Steadman 1988). The SOGS has satisfactory reliability and validity (Lesieur and Blume 1987).…”