Abstract
We investigate the question whether problem gambling (PG) in a recent South African sample, as measured by the Problem Gambling
Severity Index (PGSI), is dimensional or categorical. We use two taxometric procedures, Mean Above Minus Below A Cut (MAMBAC)
and Maxim Covariance (MAXCOV), to investigate the taxonic structure of PG as constructed by the PGSI. Data are from the 2010
South African National Urban Prevalence Study of Gambling Behavior. A representative sample of the urban adult population
in South Africa (N = 3,000). Responses are to the 9 item PGSI. MAMBAC provided positive but modest evidence that PG as measured
by the PGSI was taxonic. MAXCOV pointed more strongly to the same conclusion. These analyses also provide evidence that a
PGSI cutoff score of 10 rather than the standard 8 may be called for. PG as constructed by the PGSI may best be thought of
as categorical, but further studies with more theory based measurements are needed to determine whether this holds in a wider
range of samples and for other screens. A higher cutoff score may be called for on the PGSI when it is used for research purposes
to avoid false positives.
Severity Index (PGSI), is dimensional or categorical. We use two taxometric procedures, Mean Above Minus Below A Cut (MAMBAC)
and Maxim Covariance (MAXCOV), to investigate the taxonic structure of PG as constructed by the PGSI. Data are from the 2010
South African National Urban Prevalence Study of Gambling Behavior. A representative sample of the urban adult population
in South Africa (N = 3,000). Responses are to the 9 item PGSI. MAMBAC provided positive but modest evidence that PG as measured
by the PGSI was taxonic. MAXCOV pointed more strongly to the same conclusion. These analyses also provide evidence that a
PGSI cutoff score of 10 rather than the standard 8 may be called for. PG as constructed by the PGSI may best be thought of
as categorical, but further studies with more theory based measurements are needed to determine whether this holds in a wider
range of samples and for other screens. A higher cutoff score may be called for on the PGSI when it is used for research purposes
to avoid false positives.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-012-9316-y
- Authors
- Harold Kincaid, School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701 South Africa
- Reza Daniels, School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701 South Africa
- Andrew Dellis, School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701 South Africa
- Andre Hofmeyr, School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701 South Africa
- Jacques Rousseau, School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701 South Africa
- Carla Sharp, Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 126 Heyne Bldg, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Don Ross, School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701 South Africa
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350