Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of Psychometric Properties of the Inventory of Gambling Motives, Attitudes and Behaviors among Chinese Adolescents

  • Published:
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Given the high prevalence of adolescent gambling involvement and disorder, this study adapted the revised version of the Inventory of Gambling Motives, Attitudes and Behaviors to an adolescent version (GMAB-A) with a cross-sectional survey of 809 Chinese high school students (41.6 % females, M age = 16.86, SD age = 1.36) in Macao, China. Confirmatory factor analyses generally supported the original factor structure. The GMAB-A consisted of six, four, and four factors in the motivational, attitudinal, and behavioral domains respectively after refinement. The factor scores were correlated with the criterion variables such as disordered gambling symptoms in the expected directions, and their reliabilities were satisfying. Our findings also suggest that the attitudinal subscales are applicable to non-gamblers. In addition to its application on research, the GMAB-A can be used as an enquiring tool for gambling cognitions and behaviors and thus facilitate devising intervention programs for adolescent gambling disorder.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author

  • Ariyabuddhiphongs, V. (2013). Adolescent gambling: A narrative review of behavior and its predictors. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 11, 97–109. doi:10.1007/s11469-012-9401-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, G. M., Welte, J. W., Hoffman, J. H., & Dintcheff, B. A. (1999). Gambling and alcohol use among youth: Influences of demographic, socialization, and individual factors. Addictive Behaviors, 24, 749–767. doi:10.1016/S0306-4603(99)00048-9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bentler, P. M. (1992). On the fit of models to covariances and methodology to the Bulletin. Psychological Bulletin, 112, 400–404. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.112.3.400.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blinn-Pike, L., Worthy, S. L., & Jonkman, J. N. (2010). Adolescent gambling: A review of an emerging field of research. Journal of Adolescent Health, 47, 223–236. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.05.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Browne, M. W., & Cudeck, R. (1993). Alternative ways of assessing model fit. In K. A. Bollen & J. S. Long (Eds.), Testing structural equation models (pp. 136–162). Newbury Park: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burger, T. D., Dahlgren, D., & MacDonald, C. D. (2006). College students and gambling: An examination of gender differences in motivation for participation. College Student Journal, 40, 704–714.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calado, F., Alexandre, J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2014). Mom, dad it’s only a game! Perceived gambling and gaming behaviors among adolescents and young adults: An exploratory study. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s11469-014-9509-y

  • Chiu, E. Y.-W., & Woo, K. (2012). Problem gambling in Chinese American adolescents: characteristics and risk factors. International Journal of Mental Health Addition, 10, 911–922. doi:10.1007/s11469-012-9387-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, D. (2004). Impulsiveness, locus of control, motivation and problem gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 20, 319–345. doi:10.1007/s10899-004-4578-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, D., Tse, S., Abbott, M., Townsend, S., Kingi, P., & Manaia, W. (2007). Reasons for starting and continuing gambling in a mixed ethnic community sample of pathological and non-problem gamblers. International Gambling Studies, 7, 299–313. doi:10.1080/14459790701601455.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Derevensky, J. L., Gupta, R., & Cioppa, D. G. (1996). A developmental perspective of gambling behavior in children and adolescents. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12, 49–66. doi:10.1007/BF01533189.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dinges, N. G., Trimble, J. E., & Hollenbeck, A. R. (1979). American Indian adolescent socialization: A review of the literature. Journal of Adolescence, 2, 259–296. doi:10.1016/S0140-1971(79)80035-4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fong, K. C., & Ng, M. P. (2010). 澳門居民參與博彩活動調查2010研究報告 [Report of Macao citizen’s participation in gambling activities survey 2010]. Retrieved from http://www.ias.gov.mo/stat/rs/dfccvf_rs2010.pdf

  • Fong, D. K., & Ozorio, B. (2005). Gambling participation and prevalence estimates of pathological gambling in a Far-East gambling city: Macao. UNLV Gambling Research and Review Journal, 9, 15–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillespie, M. A. M., Derevensky, J., & Gupta, R. (2007). Adolescent problem gambling: Developing a gambling expectancy instrument. Journal of Gambling Issues, 19, 51–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2010). Multivariate data analysis: A global perspective (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ho, K. W., Chung, K. W., Hui-Lo, M. C., & Wong, S. K. (2012). 香港人參與賭博活動情況研究 [The study of Hong Kong people’s participation in gambling activities]. Retrieved from http://www.hab.gov.hk/file_manager/tc/documents/policy_responsibilities/others/gambling_report_2011.pdf

  • Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6, 1–55. doi:10.1080/10705519909540118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kline, P. (1994). An easy guide to factor analysis. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H. R., & Blume, S. B. (1987). The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS): A new instrument for the identification of pathological gamblers. American Journal of Psychiatry, 144, 1184–1188.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, W., Lee, G. P., Liu, W., Lee, G. P., Goldweber, A., Petras, H., Storr, G. L., Lalongo, N. S., & Martins, S. S. (2012). Impulsivity trajectories and gambling in adolescence among urban male youth. Addiction, 108, 780–788. doi:10.1111/add.12049.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molde, H., Pallesen, S., Bartone, P., Hystad, S., & Johnsen, B. H. (2009). Prevalence and correlates of gambling among 16 to 19-year old adolescents in Norway. Scandinavaian Journal of Psychology, 50, 55–64. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9450.2008.00667.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, S. M., & Ohtsuka, K. (1997). Gambling activities of young Australians: Developing a model of behaviour. Journal of Gambling Studies, 13, 207–236. doi:10.1023/A:1024979232287.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, S. M., & Ohtsuka, K. (1999). Beliefs about control over gambling among young people, and their relation to problem gambling. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 13, 339–347. doi:10.1037/0893-164X.13.4.339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oei, T. P. S., Lin, J., & Raylu, N. (2007). Validation of the Chinese version of the gambling related cognitions scale (GRCS-C). Journal of Gambling Studies, 23, 309–322. doi:10.1007/s10899-006-9040-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Platz, L., & Millar, M. (2001). Gambling in the context of other recreation activity: A quantitative comparison of casual and pathological student gamblers. Journal of Leisure Research, 33, 383–395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahman, A. S., Pilver, C. E., Desai, R. A., Steinberg, M. A., Rugle, L., Krishnan-Sarin, S., & Potenza, M. N. (2012). The relationship between age of gambling onset and adolescent problematic gambling severity. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 46, 675–683. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.02.007.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Raylu, N., & Oei, T. P. S. (2004). The Gambling Urge Scale: Development, confirmatory factor validation and psychometric properties. Psychology of Addictive Behaviours, 18, 100–105. doi:10.1037/0893-164X.18.2.100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scholes-Balog, K. E., Hemphil, S. A., Dowling, N. A., & Toumbourou, J. W. (2014). A prospective study of adolescent risk and protective for problem gambling among young adults. Journal of Adolescence, 37, 215–224. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.12.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Splevins, K., Mireskandari, S., Clayton, K., & Blaszczynski, A. (2010). Prevalence of adolescent problem gambling, related harms and help-seeking behaviours among an Australian population. Journal of Gambling Studies, 26, 189–204. doi:10.1007/s10899-009-9169-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, S. H., & Zack, M. (2008). Development and psychometric evaluation of a three-dimensional gambling motives questionnaire. Addiction, 103, 1110–1117. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02235.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Su, H. T. & Wong, Y. T. (2007). 澳門中學生參與賭博及投身博彩業意向研究報告 [Report of secondary students’ participation in gambling activities and intentions of joining gaming business survey]. Retrieved from http://www.moief.org/research/research%20report.pdf

  • Sumter, S. R., Bokhorst, C. L., Steinberg, L., & Westenberg, P. M. (2009). The developmental pattern of resistance to peer influence in adolescence: Will the teenager ever be able to resist? Journal of Adolescence, 32, 1009–1021. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2008.08.010.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, C. S., & Wu, A. M. S. (2009). Screening for college problem gambling in Chinese societies: Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the south oaks gambling screen (C-SOGS). International Gambling Studies, 9, 263–274. doi:10.1080/14459790903348194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, C. S., & Wu, A. M. S. (2012). Gambling-related cognitive biases and pathological gambling among youths, young adults, and mature adults in Chinese societies. Journal of Gambling Studies, 28, 139–154. doi:10.1007/s10899-011-9249-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, C. S., Wu, A. M. S., Tang, J. Y. C., & Yan, E. C. W. (2010). Reliability, validity, and cut scores of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) for Chinese. Journal of Gambling Studies, 26, 145–158. doi:10.1007/s10899-009-9147-7.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tao, V. Y. K., Wu, A. M. S., Cheung, S. F., & Tong, K.-K. (2011). Development of an indigenous inventory GMAB (gambling motives, attitudes and behaviours) for Chinese gamblers: An exploratory study. Journal of Gambling Studies, 27, 99–113. doi:10.1007/s10899-010-9191-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, D. L., & Weigert, A. L. (1971). Socialization and adolescent conformity to significant others: A cross-national analysis. American Sociological Review, 36, 835–847.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • West, S. G., Taylor, A. B., & Wu, W. (2012). Model fit and model selection in structural equation modeling. In R. H. Hoyle (Ed.), Handbook of structural equation modeling (pp. 209–231). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wickwire, E. M., Whelan, J. P., & Meyers, A. W. (2010). Outcome expectancies and gambling behavior among urban adolescents. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 24, 75–88. doi:10.1037/A0017505.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wickwire, E., Jr., Whelan, J. P., Meyers, A., & Murray, D. (2007). Environmental correlates of gambling behavior in urban adolescents. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 35, 179–190. doi:10.1007/s10802-006-9065-4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, I. L. K. (2010). Internet gambling: A school-based survey among Macau students. Social Behavior and Personality, 38, 365–372. doi:10.2224/sbp.2010.38.3.365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, I. L. K., & So, M. T. (2003). Prevalence estimates of problem and pathological gambling in Hong Kong. American Journal of Psychiatry, 160, 1353–1354.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, S. S., & Tsang, S. K. (2012). Development and validation of the Chinese adolescent gambling expectancy scale. International Gambling Studies, 12, 309–329. doi:10.1080/14459795.2012.672582.

  • Wood, R. T., Gupta, R., Derevensky, J. L., & Griffiths, M. (2004). Video game playing and gambling in adolescents: Common risk factors. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 14, 77–100. doi:10.1300/J029v14n01_05.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, A. M. S., Lai, M. H. C., Tong, K. K., & Tao, V. Y. K. (2013). Chinese attitudes, norms, behavioral control and gambling involvement in Macao. Journal of Gambling Studies, 29, 749–763. doi:10.1007/s10899-012-9344-7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, A., & Lau, J. T. (2014). Gambling in China: Socio‐historical evolution and current challenges. Addiction doi:10.1111/add.12710.

  • Wu, A. M. S., & Tang, C. S. (2011). Validation of the Chinese version of the gambling motivation scale (C-GMS). Journal of Gambling Studies, 27, 709–724. doi:10.1007/s10899-010-9234-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, A. M. S., Tao, V. Y. K., Tong, K. K., & Cheung, S. F. (2012). Psychometric evaluation of inventory of gambling motives, attitudes and behaviors (GMAB) among Chinese gamblers. International Gambling Studies, 12, 331–347. doi:10.1080/14459795.2012.678273.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of Interest

All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macao, China

    Juliet H. Chen, Anise M. S. Wu & Kwok-kit Tong

Authors
  1. Juliet H. Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anise M. S. Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kwok-kit Tong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anise M. S. Wu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chen, J.H., Wu, A.M.S. & Tong, Kk. Evaluation of Psychometric Properties of the Inventory of Gambling Motives, Attitudes and Behaviors among Chinese Adolescents. Int J Ment Health Addiction 13, 361–375 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-014-9536-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-014-9536-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation