Validation of a Spanish Adaptation of the Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale (G-SAS) in Persons with Recent History of Gambling

Abstract

Gambling is becoming increasingly frequent and problematic, especially due to the explosion of online alternatives. Evaluating the severity of gambling symptomatology is therefore more important than ever. However, innovations in the gambling field have generally focused on its treatment rather than its evaluation. The Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale (G-SAS) is a well-established measure of gambling-related symptomatology (e.g., gambling urges, gambling-related thoughts and behaviours, and interpersonal functioning). The aim of this study is to validate a Spanish adaptation of the G-SAS so that individual differences in gambling symptomatology can be assessed by clinicians and researchers. The internal structure of the G-SAS was investigated using an exploratory factor analysis with a sample of 364 individuals from the general population in Spain (mean age=28.84 years, SD=11.73; 54% males). A four-factor structure was preferred considering fit indices (Chi-square=22.62, p=.162, RMSEA=0.030, CFI=0.998, TLI=0.995) and internal consistency estimates (0.67≤α≤0.89). The factors were labelled gambling-related symptoms, control of gambling urges/thoughts, interference, and arousal. Regarding construct validity, the four factors of the G-SAS were positively and significantly (all p<.001) correlated with measures of problematic gambling severity (0.40≤r≤.73), problematic gambling diagnostic (0.40≤r≤.67), gambling cognitions (0.48≤r≤.57), impulsivity (0.26≤r≤.42), anxiety (0.22≤r≤.38), and depression (0.16≤r≤.42), and negatively with quality of life (-0.24≤r≤-.42). In sum, this study provides Spanish clinicians and researchers with a tool that serves to assess the status of individuals in relation to gambling symptomatology, which can be used to screen for at-risk profiles and evaluate treatment response.