Spanish validation of the Problem Gambling Severity Index: a confirmatory factor analysis with sports bettors

Abstract

Background and aim: The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) is one of the most widely used screening tools for problem gambling. However, no empirically validated adaptation of the instrument to Spanish-speaking countries exists to date. Methods: A sample of 659 sports bettors (Mage: 35.1 years, SD=10.12; 74.2% males) was recruited via an online research panel. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was run to confirm its construct validity. The participants were administered the Spanish version of the PGSI, along with the adaptation to Spanish of the DSM-IV problem gambling instrument for convergent validity. Results: The CFA of the Spanish PGSI showed satisfactory construct validity. The internal consistency (αordinal=.97), as well as its convergent validity with the DSM-IV scores (r=.77, p<.001) was good. Conclusion: The Spanish adaptation of the PGSI offers satisfactory validity and reliability properties, and is a good psychometric instrument for exploring the social consequences of problem gambling in Spanish-speaking contexts