Spanish validation of the Gamblers’ Belief Questionnaire (GBQ)

  1. Silvia Ubillos-Landa 1
  2. Sonia Barbero- Ayala 1
  3. Alicia Puente - Martínez 2
  4. Marcela Gracia- Leiva 3
  5. Enrique Echeburúa-Odriozola 3
  1. 1 Universidad de Burgos, Burgos, España.
  2. 2 Universidad de Salamanca.
  3. 3 Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, España
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Journal:
Adicciones: Revista de socidrogalcohol

ISSN: 0214-4840

Year of publication: 2024

Volume: 36

Issue: 1

Pages: 69-80

Type: Article

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More publications in: Adicciones: Revista de socidrogalcohol

Abstract

The objective of this study is to validate The Gambler’s Beliefs Questionnaire, a measure of gamblers’ cognitive distortions. The psychometric properties of the scale were analyzed with a Spanish sample of 515 participants aged from 16 and 24 years. Three scales related to pathological gambling (SOGS-RA and MAGS) and to social desirability were administered. A cross-sectional validation was performed, obtaining a scale with 21 items distributed in two independent factors (Luck/perseverance and Illusion of control). The internal consistency (α = .93) and test-retest reliability (r = .69) are adequate. GBQ scale scores correlate significantly with other measures of pathological gambling (SOGS: r = .35; MAGS: r = .40, both p ≤ .001). Higher levels of cognitive distortions are associated with a higher likelihood of being classified as a problem or at-risk gambler. GBQ scores are influenced by social desirability, although the effect sizes are small (r below .20). The GBQ is a useful instrument in the diagnosis and evaluation of the treatment of Spanish youths and adolescents with gambling problems.

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