Probing gambling urge as a state construct: Evidence from a sample of community gamblers

Psychol Addict Behav. 2019 Mar;33(2):154-161. doi: 10.1037/adb0000438. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Abstract

Little effort has been made to systematically test the psychometric properties of the Gambling Craving Scale (GACS; Young & Wohl, 2009). The GACS is adapted from the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges (Tiffany & Drobes, 1991) and thus measures gambling-related urge. Crucially, the validation of scales assessing gambling urge is complex because this construct is better conceptualized as a state (a transient and context-determined phenomenon). In the present study, we tested the psychometric properties of the French version of the GACS with 2 independent samples of community gamblers following an induction procedure delivered through an audio-guided imagery sequence aimed at promoting gambling urge. This procedure was specifically used to ensure the assessment of gambling urge as a state variable. Participants also completed measures of gambling severity, gambling cognitions and motives, impulsivity, and affect. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the original 3-factor solution (anticipation, desire, relief) did not fit the data well. Additional exploratory factor analysis suggested instead a 2-factor solution: an intention and desire to gamble dimension and a relief dimension. The factorial structure resulting from the exploratory factor analysis was tested with confirmatory factor analysis in a second independent sample, resulting in an acceptable fit. The 2 dimensions presented good internal reliability and correlated differentially with the other study's variables. The current study showed that, similar to what has been reported for substance-related urges, gambling urges are adequately probed with a bidimensional model. The findings suggest that the French GACS has good psychometric properties, legitimizing its use in research and clinical practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Gambling / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales*
  • Psychometrics* / instrumentation
  • Psychometrics* / methods
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Young Adult