The Canadian Problem Gambling Index: Factor structure and associations with psychopathology in a nationally representative sample.

This study examined the factor structure of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI), a measure used to assess severity of gambling behaviour in the general population. It subsequently looked at its associations with past-year psychopathology using a subsample (n = 742) of moderate-to-high-risk problem gamblers within the large, nationally representative Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 1.2 sample. An exploratory analysis found support for a unifactorial model of the CPGI. Positive associations between problem gambling and various past-year disorders and mental health behaviours were found, with the strongest association being for suicide attempts. These findings help to define the range of maladaptive behaviours associated with problem gambling and their mental health correlates in the Canadian population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Gambling Craving Scale: Psychometric validation and behavioral outcomes.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 23(4) of Psychology of Addictive Behaviors (see record 2009-24023-002). Some data in Table 4 was inadvertently omitted. The complete Table 4 is presented in the erratum.] Although craving is an important feature of problem gambling, there is a paucity of research investigating craving to gamble. A major stumbling block for craving research in gambling has been the lack of a methodologically sound, multidimensional measure of gambling-related craving. This article reports the development of the Gambling Craving Scale (GACS). In Study 1 (N = 220), a factor analysis revealed the emergence of a 9-item scale with 3 factors: Anticipation, Desire, and Relief. An important finding was that the GACS predicted problem gambling severity, depression, and positive and negative affect. In Study 2 (N = 145), the factor structure of the GACS was confirmed using a community sample of gamblers. In Study 3 (N = 46), GACS scores significantly predicted persistence at play on a virtual slot machine in the face of continued loss. Specifically, the more participants craved to gamble, the longer they engaged in play. The implications of craving for the development and maintenance of problem gambling severity are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy: Development, validation, and reliability.

The authors present 3 studies on the initial validity and reliability of the Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy (SEE), a self-report instrument that measures empathy toward people of racial and ethnic backgrounds different from one's own. Specifically, the exploratory factor analysis yielded 4 factors: Empathic Feeling and Expression, Empathic Perspective Taking, Acceptance of Cultural Differences, and Empathic Awareness. A confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence for the stability and generalizability of this 4-factor solution. The SEE was correlated in the predicted directions with general empathy and attitudes toward people's similarities and differences. High internal consistency and test-retest reliability estimates were also found across the three studies. A discussion of how this scale can add to the research and practice regarding empathy and multicultural issues is provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gambling, gambling activities, and problem gambling.

This research examined similarities and differences between gambling activities, with a particular focus on differences in gambling frequency and rates of problem gambling. The data were from population-based surveys conducted in Canada between 2001 and 2005. Adult respondents completed various versions of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI), including the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). A factor analysis of the frequency with which different gambling activities were played documented the existence of two clear underlying factors. One factor was comprised of Internet gambling and betting on sports and horse races, and the other factor was comprised of lotteries, raffles, slots/Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs), and bingo. Factor one respondents were largely men; factor two respondents were more likely to be women and scored significantly lower on a measure of problem gambling. Additional analyses indicated that (1) frequency of play was significantly and positively related to problem gambling scores for all activities except raffles, (2) the relationship between problem gambling scores and frequency of play was particularly pronounced for slots/VLTs, (3) problem gambling scores were associated with playing a larger number of games, and (4) Internet and sports gambling had the highest conversion rates (proportion who have tried an activity who frequently play that activity). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Inventory of Gambling Situations in problem and pathological gamblers seeking alcohol and drug abuse treatment.

Identifying situations in which individuals gamble may be important for developing or improving treatments, but few instruments exist for examining high-risk gambling situations. This study evaluated the factor structure of the Inventory of Gambling Situations (IGS), an instrument that assesses situations that may lead to gambling episodes. Individuals seeking alcohol and drug abuse treatment who were identified as problem or pathological gamblers (N = 283) completed the IGS, and principal component analysis revealed a 4-factor solution best fit the data; the factors represented items related to Negative Affect, Positive Affect, Gambling Cues, and Social Situations. Across the whole scale, Cronbach's alpha was 0.97, ranging from 0.83 to 0.96 for the four factors. IGS total scores correlated with other indices of gambling problems, including number of pathological gambling criteria endorsed and frequency and intensity of gambling. Race, education, and severity of psychiatric, drug, and alcohol problems were significantly predictive of some factor scores. Specifically, African Americans were more likely to gamble in response to Negative Affect situations than Caucasians, and education was inversely associated with wagering in response to Gambling Cues. Psychiatric symptoms were predictive of gambling in response to both Positive and Negative Affect situations and Gambling Cues. Severity of drug and alcohol problems were related to gambling in Social Situations. Results from this study indicate that the IGS has good psychometric properties and suggest areas in which intervention efforts may be tailored to prevent or treat gambling problems among individuals seeking substance abuse treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Trusting problem gamblers: Reliability and validity of self-reported gambling behavior.

The retest reliability and validity of self-reported gambling behavior were assessed in 2 samples of problem gamblers. Days gambled and money spent gambling over a 6-month timeframe were reliable over a 2- to 3-week retest period using the timeline follow-back interview procedure (N=35; intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] ranged from .61 to .98). Gamblers did, however, report significantly more gambling at the 2nd interview. Agreement with collaterals was fair to good overall (ICCs ranged from .46 to .65) with no clear pattern of either over- or underreporting by gamblers. Spouses did not show greater agreement with gamblers compared with nonspouses, and greater agreement was not found for collaterals who were more versus less confident in their reports. The results are generally supportive of the use of self-reported gambling in studies of problem gamblers, assessed face to face and by telephone, although suggestions for further research are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral Assessment of Gambling: An Application of the Timeline Followback Method.

The Gambling Timeline Followback (G-TLFB), a measure of gambling behavior that uses the timeline followback methodology, was psychometrically evaluated with samples of frequent-gambling young adults. Seven dimensions of gambling behavior were assessed: type, frequency, duration, intent, risk, win-loss, and consumption of alcohol while gambling. The G-TLFB demonstrated adequate to excellent test-retest reliability with a sample of 57 frequent gamblers (r=.75 to .96) and with a group of 34 disordered gamblers (r=.73 to .93). With a separate sample of 58 frequent-gambling participants, convergent, concurrent, and discriminant validity were assessed. The G-TLFB correlated positively with daily self-monitoring reports (r=.59 to .87). The dimensions of frequency and duration demonstraied concurrent validity with gambling screening instruments, and standard drinks consumed while gambling demonstrated concurrent validity with a measure of alcohol misuse. The G-TLFB also demonstrated discriminant validity with demographic variables and a measure of positive impression management. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale.

The authors examined the factor structure of the Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS) using confirmatory factor analysis in 3 clinical research samples of smokers trying to quit (N = 723). Three confirmatory factor analytic models, based on previous research, were tested with each of the 3 study samples at multiple points in time. A unidimensional model including all 8 MNWS items was found to be the best explanation of the data. This model produced fair to good internal consistency estimates. Additionally, these data revealed that craving should be included in the total score of the MNWS. Factor scores derived from this single-factor, 8-item model showed that increases in withdrawal were associated with poor smoking outcome for 2 of the clinical studies. Confirmatory factor analyses of change scores showed that the MNWS symptoms cohere as a syndrome over time. Future investigators should report a total score using all of the items from the MNWS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Deaf Identity Development Scale: A revision and validation.

The Deaf Identity Development Scale (DIDS; N. S. Glickman, 1993) was revised on the basis of recommendations by N. S. Glickman and was validated on a sample of 323 hearing-impaired participants residing in the southwestern part of the United States. The DIDS is an instrument designed to measure 4 deaf identity constructs: hearing, marginal, immersion, and bicultural. The findings were tested according to the deaf identity development theory and the data were analyzed for internal consistency reliability, item-to-scale reliability, and interscale correlations. Results of these and factor analysis support the existence of 4 relatively independent deaf identities. Results of 4 separate analyses of variance with post hoc multiple comparisons reveal that onset and severity of hearing loss influences one's deaf identity development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Disgust Scale: Item analysis, factor structure, and suggestions for refinement.

In the 4 studies presented (N = 1,939), a converging set of analyses was conducted to evaluate the item adequacy, factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Disgust Scale (DS; J. Haidt, C. McCauley, & P. Rozin, 1994). The results suggest that 7 items (i.e., Items 2, 7, 8, 21, 23, 24, and 25) should be considered for removal from the DS. Secondary to removing the items, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the DS taps 3 dimensions of disgust: Core Disgust, Animal Reminder Disgust, and Contamination-Based Disgust. Women scored higher than men on the 3 disgust dimensions. Structural modeling provided support for the specificity of the 3-factor model, as Core Disgust and Contamination-Based Disgust were significantly predictive of obsessive- compulsive disorder (OCD) concerns, whereas Animal Reminder Disgust was not. Results from a clinical sample indicated that patients with OCD washing concerns scored significantly higher than patients with OCD without washing concerns on both Core Disgust and Contamination-Based Disgust, but not on Animal Reminder Disgust. These findings are discussed in the context of the refinement of the DS to promote a more psychometrically sound assessment of disgust sensitivity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Passion for the Game: Problem Gambling and Passion Among University Students.

The present study was conducted to examine passion for gambling and its relation to problem gambling in a nonclinical sample of university student gamblers. University students (N = 162) who gambled a minimum of twice monthly completed a brief demographics questionnaire, the South Oaks Gambling Screen, and the Gambling Passion Scale. It was found that problem gamblers reported greater obsessive and harmonious passion for gambling but only obsessive passion was correlated with the severity of problem gambling behaviour. The results supported the utility of the GPS as a research tool to explore problem gambling in a university student sample. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validation of the Minnesota Scale of Parental Occupations and a modification of the Werner Occupational Rating Scale.

The Minnesota and Warner scales were correlated with material and cultural possession criteria for a sample of 150 urban high school students and 150 rural students. The substantial but not high correlation between the scales and criteria is attributed to the present wide distribution of the criteria possessions in the population, so that they no longer act as adequate socioeconomic differentiators. The Warner scale seems to differentiate more adequately among agricultural occupations than the Minnesota scale. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"The Gambling Craving Scale: Psychometric validation and behavioral outcomes": Correction to Young and Wohl (2009).

Reports an error in "The Gambling Craving Scale: Psychometric validation and behavioral outcomes" by Matthew M. Young and Michael J. A. Wohl (Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 2009[Sep], Vol 23[3], 512-522). Some data in Table 4 was inadvertently omitted. The complete Table 4 is presented in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2009-14441-012.) Although craving is an important feature of problem gambling, there is a paucity of research investigating craving to gamble. A major stumbling block for craving research in gambling has been the lack of a methodologically sound, multidimensional measure of gambling-related craving. This article reports the development of the Gambling Craving Scale (GACS). In Study 1 (N = 220), a factor analysis revealed the emergence of a 9-item scale with 3 factors: Anticipation, Desire, and Relief. An important finding was that the GACS predicted problem gambling severity, depression, and positive and negative affect. In Study 2 (N = 145), the factor structure of the GACS was confirmed using a community sample of gamblers. In Study 3 (N = 46), GACS scores significantly predicted persistence at play on a virtual slot machine in the face of continued loss. Specifically, the more participants craved to gamble, the longer they engaged in play. The implications of craving for the development and maintenance of problem gambling severity are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Emotional intelligence: Psychometric status and developmental characteristics--Comment on Roberts, Zeidner, and Matthews (2001).

States, in this comment on the article by R. D. Roberts, M. Zeidner and G. Matthews (see record 2001-10055-001) that there is now sufficient work in the literature on emotional intelligence to suggest that this construct or series of constructs deserves serious attention, but several questions remain as to adequate construct validation as well as to the emergence and development of these constructs. There is a need to conduct convergent and divergent validity studies on a midlife sample that is likely to show the optimal level of differentiation of the new constructs. The reference domain of cognitive intelligence should be constructed in a multiple-construct manner, and the validation procedure should use confirmatory factor analysis and P. S. Dwyer's (1937) extension method. Once properly validated, there is a need to study the emergence, age differences, and age changes in the level and structure of emotional intelligence. A paradigm that investigates the invariance of factor structure across age and uses the model of differentiation-dedifferentiation would be useful for this purpose. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Empirical Validation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale in Patients With Social Anxiety Disorder.

The Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE; M. R. Leary, 1983a) is often used to assess fear of negative evaluation, the core feature of social anxiety disorder. However, few studies have examined its psychometric properties in large samples of socially anxious patients. Although the BFNE yields a single total score, confirmatory factor analysis indicated a 2-factor solution to be more appropriate, with the 1st factor consisting of all straightforwardly worded items (BFNE-S) and the 2nd of all reverse-scored items (BFNE-R). Support was obtained for the convergent and discriminant validity of the BFNE and BFNE-S, but not the BFNE-R. These results suggest that standard scoring of the BFNE may not be optimal for patients with social anxiety disorder. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gambling cognition and subjective well-being as mediators between perceived stress and problem gambling: A cross-cultural study on White and Chinese problem gamblers.

This study aimed to delineate various pathways whereby cognitive and emotional vulnerabilities triggered by stress would lead to disruptive gambling. A multiple mediation framework was proposed to specify that gambling cognition and subjective well-being would mediate the influence of perceived stress on problem gambling. The cross-cultural validity of the proposed framework was examined with 132 White gamblers in Australia and 154 Chinese gamblers in China. They completed psychological scales on perceived stress, gambling expectancy bias, gambling refusal efficacy, negative affect, life satisfaction, and problem gambling. Compared to Chinese gamblers, White gamblers reported higher levels of perceived stress, gambling expectancy bias, and problem gambling as well as more pervasive negative affect and lower levels of life satisfaction. Results showed that the proposed multiple mediation framework fit the data better than two alternative plausible models. Life satisfaction and gambling refusal efficacy were two consistent mediators across White and Chinese gamblers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and validation of a Coping with Discrimination Scale: Factor structure, reliability, and validity.

Four studies were conducted to develop and validate the Coping With Discrimination Scale (CDS). In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis (N = 328) identified 5 factors: Education/Advocacy, Internalization, Drug and Alcohol Use, Resistance, and Detachment, with internal consistency reliability estimates ranging from .72 to .90. In Study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis (N = 328) provided cross-validation of the 5-factor model as well as evidence for validity of the scale. The validity evidence was similar across racial groups and for males and females. In Study 3, the estimated 2-week test–retest reliabilities (N = 53) were between .48 and .85 for the 5 factors. Education/Advocacy, Internalization, Drug and Alcohol Use, and Detachment were positively associated with active coping, self-blame, substance use, and behavioral disengagement, respectively, providing further support for validity of the CDS. Finally, incremental validity evidence was obtained in Study 4 (N = 220), where it was shown that the CDS explained variance in outcome variables (i.e., depression, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and ethnic identity) that could not be explained by general coping strategies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Advisory Working Alliance Inventory--Advisor Version: Scale Development and Validation.

The development of the Advisory Working Alliance Inventory--Advisor Version (AWAI-A) is presented. In the first study, data from 236 faculty members from APA-accredited counseling psychology programs were subjected to a principal components analysis, yielding 3 subscales: Rapport (15 items), Apprenticeship (8 items), and Task Focus (8 items). The data also revealed evidence of the AWAI-A's internal consistency and concurrent validity, the latter being demonstrated by correlations with measures of satisfaction with the advising relationship, costs and benefits of advising, advisee interest in science and practice, and advisee research self-efficacy. In the 2nd study, data from 44 additional advisors yielded evidence of the AWAI-A's test-retest reliability and discriminant validity. Implications of the advising working alliance for doctoral training are discussed, and suggestions are provided for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

More Information From Fewer Questions: The Factor Structure and Item Properties of the Original and Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale.

Statistical methods designed for categorical data were used to perform confirmatory factor analyses and item response theory (IRT) analyses of the Fear of Negative Evaluation scale (FNE; D. Watson & R. Friend, 1969) and the Brief FNE (BFNE; M. R. Leary, 1983). Results suggested that a 2-factor model fit the data better for both the FNE and the BFNE, although the evidence was less strong for the FNE. The IRT analyses indicated that although both measures had items with good discrimination, the FNE items discriminated only at lower levels of the underlying construct, whereas the BFNE items discriminated across a wider range. Convergent validity analyses indicated that the straightforwardly-worded items on each scale had significantly stronger relationships with theoretically related measures than did the reverse-worded items. On the basis of all analyses, usage of the straightforwardly-worded BFNE factor is recommended for the assessment of fear of negative evaluation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)