Problem Gambling

Objective: <span class="fontstyle2">Problem Gambling is defined as one of the disorders associated with drug abuse. <span class="fontstyle2">Gambling-related harm can affect multiple domains of life, including financial and health problems, psychological and emotional distress, and impaired social and cultural relationships. The <span class="fontstyle2">aim of this study was investigating the psychometric properties of Problem Gambling Severity Index in Iranian students. Method : <span class="fontstyle2">The method of this study was correlational. The statistical population of this study was all students in the Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University in 2019. The sample size was 211 students (121 girls and 90 boys) that were selected through cluster sampling method and determined based on the fact that at least 5 people are required for each item for factor analysis of the Problem Gambling Severity Index and Addiction Tendency Questionnaire. Results: <span class="fontstyle2">In order to determine the psychometric properties of the Problem Gambling Severity Index, a confirmatory factor analysis method was used. Indirect path coefficients between the components of gambling behavior ( <span class="fontstyle3">β <span class="fontstyle2">= 1, p >0.001) and gambling consequences (( <span class="fontstyle3">β <span class="fontstyle2">=0.97, P >0.001) with the Gambling Severity Index indicate a significant relationship between factors and the whole scale. The study of concurrent validity Gambling Severity Index with Addiction Tendency Questionnaire showed there is a positive and significant relationship between these Questionnaires (r=0.57, p <0/001). The reliability of the scale was obtained 0/79 using Cronbach’s alpha. Conclusion : <span class="fontstyle2">According to the results, it can be said that Problem Gambling Severity Index is a stable and valid tool for examining gambling problems and can be used in Iran.

Objective: Problem gambling is a non-addiction issue that may arise even from recreational engagement with gambling activity. In Nigeria, not much has been written about this menace to the extent that the focus of interest of the government is on the economic gains of gambling activities rather than how to curtail the problems arising therefrom. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating psychosocial predictors (age, suicidality, and financial strain) contributing either independently or collectively to problem gambling among male undergraduate students in Ogun state, Nigeria. Methods: This study adopted a correlational research design. 201 participants were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires that included bio-data information, Problem Gambling Severity Index developed by (Ferris & Whynne, 2001), Suicidal Behaviour Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) developed by Osman, Bagge, Gutierrez, Konick, Kopper, & Barrios (2001) and Financial Strain Survey developed by (Aldana & Lijenquist, 1998). Results: Multiple Regression Analysis was used to analyze the data, and the results revealed that financial strain contributed more significantly to problem gambling (t (196) = 5.348, P.001), = 36, while all psychosocial variables contributed collectively to problem gambling (F (3, 196) = 9.670, P.01, AdjR2 =.12) among male undergraduate students in Ogun State, Nigeria. Conclusions: The study concluded that psychosocial factors-age, financial strain, and suicidality collectively contributed to problem gambling while only financial strain independently significantly predicted problem gambling among male university students in Ago-Iwoye community of Olabisi Onabanjo University. The study recommended that students receive financial counselling and planning in order to manage their money effectively.