Overview

• Sogs Gambling Assessment Definition
• Gambling Assessment Tools

The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SaGS): A New Instrument for the Identification of Pathological Gamblers Henry R. Lesieur, Ph.D., and Sheila B. The South Oaks Gambling Screen is a 20-item qu estionnaire based on DSM-Ill criteria for path ological gambling. It ma y be self-administered or administered by nonprofessional or professional.

The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) is a screen used to measure pathological gambling. This 16-item instrument asks questions related to many gambling behaviours. It also asks questions about how the individual feels about his or her own gambling habits. SOGS classifies individuals into one of three categories: non-problem gambler, problem gambler and probable pathological gambling. The SOGS can be used by individuals as a self-assessment tool, and mental health practitioners can also use this tool to screen their clients. A modified version of the SOGS for adolescents is also available and includes 12 items.

• SOUTH OAKS GAMBLING SCREEN – SCORE SHEET SOGS Scores on the SOGS are determined by scoring one point for each question that shows the “at risk” response indicated and adding the total points.
• Evaluation of adult problem gambling screening and assessment tools Table 4. Evaluation of children and adolescents problem gambling screening and assessment tools Table 5. Key evaluation terms and definitions Table 6. Objectives and indicators of program and cost effectiveness APPENDICES (Separate volume) A1.

Key Points

It is important to remember that this tool is not a diagnoses of pathological gambling, however, studies have shown the SOGS to be a reliable and valid measure of gambling problems. The items relate to the clinical symptoms of gambling problem as presented by the DSM. Some authors have raised concerns with some of the questions asked in the SOGS. Specifically, questions regarding the amount of debt that a gambler accumulates and questions about having a line of credit are considered poor, as they do not directly measure gambling problems.

References

Sogs Gambling Assessment Definition

Stinchfield, R. (2002). Reliability, validity, and classification accuracy of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Addictive Behaviors, 27(1), 1-19.

Orford, J., Sproston, K., & Erens, B. (2003). SOGS and DSM-IV in the British Gambling Prevalence Survey: Reliability and factor structure. International Gambling Studies, 3(1), 53-65.

Gambling Assessment Tools

Young, M., & Stevens, M. (2008). SOGS and CGPI: Parallel comparison on a diverse population. Journal of Gambling Studies, 24(3), 337-356.