South Oaks Gambling Screen – Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA)

South Oaks Gambling Screen – Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA)

South Oaks Gambling Screen – Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA) used in psychology are essential tools for clinical and research assessments. This post is based on dissertations submitted by students during their academic programs. At ‘Mental Health,’ we arrange and provide these resources to you. Here is the complete list of resources (Click Here). To access these materials, click on the ‘Avail File’ section below.”

South Oaks Gambling Screen – Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA)
South Oaks Gambling Screen – Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA)

About South Oaks Gambling Screen – Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA)

The South Oaks Gambling Screen – Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA) is a widely used tool designed to screen for problematic gambling behaviors in adolescents. As gambling continues to become more accessible, it is crucial to have reliable assessment tools to detect early signs of gambling issues among young people. The SOGS-RA is an adaptation of the original South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), which was developed for adults, making it suitable for younger populations. It evaluates gambling behaviors, attitudes, and consequences in adolescents.

Purpose of the Tool

The primary purpose of the SOGS-RA is to screen for potential gambling problems in adolescents. The tool assesses the frequency and severity of gambling behavior, focusing on the social and psychological impacts it may have on the adolescent’s life. Early detection of gambling issues can help in preventing addiction and providing necessary interventions. The tool is commonly used in research, clinical settings, and educational programs aimed at curbing adolescent gambling.

Description of Tool

The original South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) was developed by Lesieur and Blume in 1987 to identify problematic gambling behaviors in adults. Over time, researchers recognized the growing issue of gambling among adolescents, leading to the creation of the SOGS-RA. Winters, Stinchfield, and Fulkerson (1993) revised the adult version to make it more appropriate for adolescents, addressing specific concerns and behaviors related to underage gambling.

The SOGS-RA consists of a series of items that evaluate an adolescent’s gambling habits, the frequency of gambling, and the impact it has on their life. It includes questions on how often they gamble, how much money they spend, and whether they borrow money to gamble. The questionnaire also asks about emotional and social consequences, such as feeling guilty about gambling or having problems with family or friends because of gambling.

The tool is structured to allow for easy scoring, with points assigned for each answer that indicates problematic gambling behavior. A higher score suggests a greater likelihood of gambling problems. The SOGS-RA is considered both reliable and valid for assessing gambling behaviors in adolescents.

Psychometric Properties

The SOGS-RA has been evaluated for its reliability and validity:

  • Reliability: The tool demonstrates strong internal consistency, with high Cronbach’s alpha scores, indicating it reliably measures the intended constructs across different adolescent populations.
  • Validity: The SOGS-RA has been shown to have good construct validity, accurately identifying gambling issues when compared with other established gambling assessments. It also shows convergent validity with related measures of adolescent risk behaviors and mental health assessments.
  • Social Desirability Effect: Research by Kuentzel and Henderson (2002) highlighted the potential for social desirability effects in the scores of the SOGS-RA, meaning that some adolescents may underreport gambling behaviors due to concerns about how they are perceived.

Age Group

The SOGS-RA is designed for use with adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. It is most commonly applied in school settings, juvenile justice systems, or community-based programs focusing on at-risk youth. Clinicians may also use it during assessments for youth who present signs of behavioral problems linked to gambling.

References

  • Winters, K. C., Stinchfield, R. D., & Fulkerson, J. (1993). Toward the development of an adolescent gambling severity scale. Journal of Gambling Studies, 9(1), 63-84.
  • Kuentzel, J.G. & Henderson, J.M. Preliminary evidence of social desirability effects on South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) scores. Poster presented at the 2002 meeting of the Center for Responsible Gambling, Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • Macdonald, J., Turner, N., & Somerset, M. (2008). Life skills, mathematical reasoning, and critical thinking: Curriculum for the prevention of problem gambling. Final report to the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Avail the File

If you would like to learn more about the South Oaks Gambling Screen – Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA) or access it for research or clinical purposes, please reach out through our Contact Us page. At ‘Mental Health,’ we are committed to providing access to reliable assessment tools to enhance research and intervention efforts.

Follow Us:

Reference File: Addiction-A53

Disclaimer

Please be aware that MentalHealth.com.pk does not hold the rights to grant permission for the use of any psychological scales, questionnaires, or inventories listed on its website. If you wish to use any of the scales, questionnaires, or inventories featured on our site, it is your responsibility to obtain permission directly from the author, translator, or publisher of the respective tool.

MentalHealth.com.pk provides information about various assessment measures and their administration procedures for educational purposes only. We do not endorse or claim ownership of any of the tools mentioned. We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information to our readers, but we cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information presented.

If you require further information or need assistance in contacting an author or obtaining permissions, please feel free to reach out to our team. We are here to assist you with any inquiries you may have.