Overview
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.
Mrs Forson Sogs Gambling
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
Stinchfield, R. (2002). Reliability, validity, and classification accuracy of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Addictive Behaviors, 27(1), 1-19.
Songs Gambling
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.
Young, M., & Stevens, M. (2008). SOGS and CGPI: Parallel comparison on a diverse population. Journal of Gambling Studies, 24(3), 337-356.
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. South Oaks Gambling Screen - The SOGS is a lifetime measure of problem gambling that has been found to be reliable and valid. This 16-item screening tool places individuals in one of three. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) is a 20-item self-rated screening questionnaire based on DSM-III criteria for pathological gambling. The SOGS is the most commonly used instrument to screen for pathological or problem gambling in the general population.
The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) was developed by Henry Lesieur, PhD, and Sheila Blume, MD, as a screen for compulsive gambling. It is a 20-item questionnaire based on DSM-III criteria for pathological gambling. It may be self-administered or administered by nonprofessional or professional interviewers.
Availability | The instrument is freely available here: South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) |
Classification | |
Short Description of Instrument | The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) is a 20-item self-rated screening questionnaire based on DSM-III criteria for pathological gambling. The SOGS is the most commonly used instrument to screen for pathological or problem gambling in the general population. |
Scoring | The SOGS has 20 items that are scored 0 or 1, with a total score of 1-4 suggesting problem gambling and a score =5 suggesting pathological gambling. |
References | Lesieur HR, Blume SB. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS): A new instrument for the identification of pathological gamblers. Am J Psychiatry 1987;144:1184–1188. |