Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
J Gambl Stud. 2023 Jun;39(2):559-577. doi: 10.1007/s10899-022-10138-2. Epub 2022 Jul 1.
Research and prevalence studies commonly use the nine-item Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI; Ferris and Wynne in The Canadian Problem Gambling Index, 2001) to measure problem gambling severity in older adults. However, the appropriateness of the PGSI for use with older adults must be evaluated to ensure accurate interpretation of scores. This study evaluated the PGSI with older adults that gamble using a Rasch model approach, which has not yet been examined in the literature. Data from the Quinte Longitudinal Study (Wiiliams et al. in The Quinte Longitudinal Study of Gambling and Problem Gambling 2006-2011, Bay of Quinte region, Ontario [Canada] (V28), 2014) were utilized, accessed through the Gambling Research Exchange of Ontario (GREO). Using WINSTEPS.V5, a Rasch rating scale model was applied to an older adult sample from Ontario, Canada (n = 571, M = 66, range = 60-80 +) to assess: (1) the dimensionality and fit between individual PGSI items and the underlying latent construct of problem gambling; (2) utility of items and response options; and (3) potential differential item functioning (DIF) between genders. Using a larger sample (N = 3206, M = 45, range = 18-80 +), DIF was examined across three age subgroups. Results supported unidimensionality of the PGSI and item polarity (r range = 0.42-0.85). Infit and outfit statistics showed mixed model misfit for three items. The use of three response options were deemed productive for measurement, but almost always was not frequently endorsed. Model-person separation (1.00) and reliability (0.50) were poor, and model-item separation (6.12) and reliability (0.97) were excellent. There was no significant DIF between older adults by gender. Three items showed significant DIF between older and younger adults. Possible modifications to improve the PGSI for use with older adults are discussed.
研究和流行情况研究通常使用九项问题赌博严重程度指数（PGSI；费里斯和温恩在加拿大问题赌博指数，2001 年）来衡量老年人的问题赌博严重程度。然而，必须评估 PGSI 对老年人的适用性，以确保对分数的准确解释。本研究使用 Rasch 模型方法评估了老年人的 PGSI，该方法在文献中尚未进行过检验。数据来自 Quinte 纵向研究（Williams 等人在安大略省湾地区的 Quinte 纵向赌博和问题赌博研究 2006-2011 年[加拿大]（V28），2014 年），通过安大略省赌博研究交换所（GREO）访问。使用 WINSTEPS.V5，对来自加拿大安大略省的老年人样本（n=571，M=66，范围=60-80+）应用 Rasch 评分量表模型，以评估：（1）个别 PGSI 项目与潜在的问题赌博潜在结构之间的维度和拟合程度；（2）项目和反应选项的效用；（3）性别之间的潜在差异项目功能（DIF）。使用更大的样本（N=3206，M=45，范围=18-80+），在三个年龄亚组中检查了 DIF。结果支持 PGSI 的单维性和项目极性（r 范围=0.42-0.85）。内和外统计数据显示三个项目的混合模型不拟合。使用三个反应选项被认为对测量具有生产性，但几乎从不经常被认可。模型-人分离（1.00）和可靠性（0.50）较差，而模型-项目分离（6.12）和可靠性（0.97）则非常好。性别之间没有明显的 DIF。三个项目在老年人和年轻人之间存在显著的 DIF。讨论了可能的修改方法，以改善老年人使用的 PGSI。
