Classification of Gamblers According to the NODS and a Clinical Interview¹

Abstract

Since the social and personal implications of excessive gambling are important, it becomes necessary to assess the extent of the problem within the population. Accordingly, the use of an instrument that evaluates gamblers accurately is essential. This study, carried out with 200 adults, investigates the potential differences in classification of gamblers when using the NORC DSM-IV Screen for gambling problems (NODS) versus a clinical interview. The results show that 50 of the 200 participants were not categorised in the same way with the NODS as with the clinical interview; 47 participants were identified as having a more severe gambling problem according to the NODS than with the clinical interview, providing a 23.5% difference in the concordance rate. This result is discussed in terms of measurement problems in assessing gambling behaviours.

Notes

 1. This study was funded by a grant from the Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux du Québec. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Robert Ladouceur, École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada GIK 7p4. Email:(robert. [email protected])