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.

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

The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) (Lesieur & Blume, 1987) has been the subject of a number of critical reviews (e.g., Battersby, Thomas, Tolchard, & Esterman, 2002; Gerstein et al., 1999; Shaffer & Korn, 2002; Volberg, 1999; Walker & Dickerson, 1996), beginning with Culleton's analysis of methods (1989). This has led to calls for. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS): A new instrument for the identification of pathological gamblers. American Journal of Psychiatry, 144(9), 1184-1188. 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. South Oaks Gambling Screen Tool 1. When you gamble, how often do you go back another day to win back money you lost. Have you ever claimed to be winning money gambling but weren’t really? In fact you lost? Do you feel you have ever had a problem with betting money or gambling? Never less than ½ the time I lost most of the time I lost. 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.

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

South Oaks Gambling Screen Sogs

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.

Sogs South Oaks Gambling Screen

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