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The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS: [Am. J. Psychiatr. 144 (1987) 1184]) is one of the most widely used measures of gambling problems in epidemiological studies and clinical evaluations. In the current paper, we were able to examine the SOGS using a Rasch model with data obtained from a representative community sample and a large clinical sample. The SOGS demonstrated significant stability across community and clinical samples despite the sample differences in gambling behaviors and demographic characteristics. In the clinical sample, we demonstrated the significant agreement between DSM-IV- and SOGS-based estimates of each person''s level of gambling problem severity. However, the relative severity of DSM-IV and SOGS symptoms suggests that the measures tap somewhat different and overlapping regions of the latent continuum. We estimate that the DSM-IV reliably separates three levels of gambling problem severity and provides corresponding cut scores for a SOGS scale composed of 15 sample-invariant items. Recommendations for a relaxed cut score on the DSM-IV and reduced set of SOGS items are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Using a liberal feminist orientation, the literature on a diverse range of topics concerning the profile of the pathological gambler, from personality traits to psychiatric orientation, as well as consequences of the behavior on individuals was reviewed for its gender-related content. The vast majority of this research has been on male subjects; gender of respondents has not been discussed; gender-related findings have not been reported; mostly male-dominated gambling sites have been investigated. To say that most compulsive gamblers are men and therefore, theorists need to explain them first and only later apply these same explanations to the 'rare' [female] cases is to acquiesce to a patriarchal notion of the world. Action is suggested which would put a halt to this trend and suggestions are made for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seventy-two pathological gambling patients were followed-up after treatment in a combined alcohol, substance abuse and compulsive gambling treatment program. The Addiction Severity Index (modified for use with pathological gamblers) was used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Patients reduced their intake of alcohol, other drugs and their gambling as well as improved in legal, family/social, and psychological functioning. There was a trend for improvement in medical condition and no net change in employment functioning. The study supports the idea that combined treatment is an effective way of dealing with patients whose gambling problems are discovered when they enter treatment for another addiction, as well as for patients whose initial complaints include pathological gambling, with or without additional problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients in a therapeutic community were questioned about their gambling behavior in order to find out what percentage of them were pathological gamblers. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (the SOGS) was used to screen the clients for gambling-related problems. Out of 100 residents tested, 14 were diagnosed as pathological gamblers and an additional 14 showed signs of problematic gambling. Seventeen percent listing alcohol as one their three favorite drugs, 18% listing cocaine, 13% preferring marihuana, 11% preferring hallucinogens, 29% choosing heroin, 10% choosing PCP, and none choosing tranquilizers or sedatives showed signs of pathological gambling. Males were more likely to be classified as pathological gamblers than females. Residents aged 19 years and over were four times as likely to show signs of pathological gambling than those 18 years and under. SOGS was also significantly associated with parental gambling (50% of the children of pathological gamblers were pathological gamblers themselves) and occupational status. The implications for study and treatment of these individuals are made in terms of the study of addictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients in an alcoholism and drug dependency treatment facility were questioned about their gambling behavior in order to find out what percentage of them were abusing alcohol and/or drugs and gambling. In order to do this, a pathological gambling signs index was constructed according to a modification of DSM III criteria and validated using independent procedures. Out of 458 patients interviewed, 40 (9%) were diagnosed as pathological gamblers and an additional 47 (10%) showed signs of problematic gambling. These patients showed clear signs of emotional, financial, family and occupational disruption, and illegal behavior in connection with their gambling which compound the disruption induced by alcohol and/or drugs. Five per cent of the patients abusing only alcohol, 12% of those with alcohol and another drug in combination, and 18% of those with other drug abuse problems without an alcohol component showed dear signs of pathological gambling; 1116% of mates and 2% of females were classified as pathological gamblers. The index was also significantly associated with parental gambling (38% of the children of pathological gamblers were pathological gamblers themselves). Gambling by siblings, alcoholism in the father (but not in the mother), gambling prior to age 20, greater amounts of gambling for more money, and 'chasing losses in order to get even" were also positively correlated with the index. The implications for study and treatment of these individuals are discussed in terms of the study of addictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the prevalence of compulsive gamblers in the U.S. In 1989, it is reported that 71 percent of the public gambled, while the gross legal gaming handle was 246.9 billion dollars for the year. A variety of gaming is offered in several states, from Nevada to Connecticut. Evidence suggests that in areas where more forms of gambling are legal, the incidence of problem and compulsive gambling is also higher. The author also examines the effects and causes of compulsive gambling.

Despite its utility for the dichotomous differentiation of pathological and nonpathological gamblers, some have questioned the use of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) [Am. J. Psychiatry 144 (1987) 1184.] for discriminating individuals across the entire range of gambling problems. Using methods from item response theory, we derived a six-item version of the SOGS. This shortened version of the SOGS performed uniformly across a sample of pathological gamblers and a sample of students and resulted in five levels of discrimination and the following interpretation: a score of 1 reveals potential for problems; 2 reveals likely problem gambling; 3 or 4 items endorsed represent significant levels of problems noticeable by others; while 5 or 6 represents severe problems with significant financial involvement. We discuss the implications and remaining limitations of using this shortened measure for the continuum-based assessment of gambling problems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Despite a recent proliferation of gambling treatment protocols and studies examining the success of these protocols, there exists an absence of attention to mechanisms of change and the individual characteristics that predict treatment outcome. A better understanding of the characteristics that place particular individuals at-risk for treatment failure will be vital for developing new treatments as well as modifying existing treatments. Furthermore, the development of tools to identify those at risk for treatment failure, prior to treatment initiation, will allow for the tailoring of protocols to suit individual needs and vulnerabilities. In the current paper, we review the state of gambling treatment and suggest a framework for better understanding and ultimately reducing gambling treatment failure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives. This study compared problem gamblers, problem substance users, dual-problem individuals, and persons without these problems in the general population. Methods. On the basis of computer-assisted telephone interviews of a random sample of Texas adults (n = 6308) standard instruments were used to gauge substance use and gambling problems in the general population. Results. Compared with those having a substance use or gambling problem only, dual-problem individuals were more likely to be young, never-married men, without conventional religious affiliations. There was more dysfunctionality (as evidenced by treatment-seeking and problems with the law) among dual-problem respondents than among those troubled exclusively by gambling or substance use problems. Conclusions. Screening and treatment for gambling problems should be offered in drug treatment and criminal justice arenas. (Am J Public Health. 1998;88:467-470) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study tested the theory that negative affect and one's ability to tolerate distress is associated with failure to quit gambling during an abstinence attempt. Specifically, 16 current pathological gamblers who had at least one sustained period of gambling abstinence lasting a minimum of 3 months (i.e., delayed relapsers) and 16 current pathological gamblers who had never remained abstinent for a period longer than 2 weeks (i.e., immediate relapsers), were assessed for baseline levels of negative affect and stress reactivity, as well as faced with a psychological (mental arithmetic) and physical (breath holding) stressor. Compared to the delayed relapsers, the immediate relapsers displayed higher levels of negative affect and stress reactivity. Immediate relapsers also were less likely to persist on the psychological stressor, suggesting that one's ability to tolerate the initial discomfort of an abstinence attempt may play an important role in gambling treatment outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determines the frequency of psychiatric comorbidity among treatment-seeking pathological gamblers. Comparison of severity of gambling and psychological problems in gamblers with and without comorbid disorders; Differences between gamblers with and without comorbid disorders in the dopamine receptor gene.