Using Online Gambling Disorder Questionnaire (OGD-Q) with Adults: Factor Structure, Reliability, External Validity, and Measurement Invariance Across Age and Gender

Rates of online (or internet) gambling are growing faster than any other gambling form, which has research and clinical implications. Currently, the lack of a questionnaire for measuring online gambling in adults is hampering our ability to understand this phenomenon. The current study examined whether the Online Gambling Disorder Questionnaire (OGD-Q), developed for studying online gambling in adolescents, is suitable for use with adults. Specifically, we evaluated support for its original one-factor model, its model-based reliability, external validity, and measurement invariance (configural, metric, scalar, and residual) for the theorized one-factor model. A community sample of 968adults (18 to 64 years) completed the original OGD-Q. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the theorized one-factor model. Additionally, there was support for the reliability (omega coefficient) and external validity (expected relations with internet gaming disorder, internet disorder, depression, anxiety, and stress) of the OGD-Q. Multiple-group CFA supported full measurement invariance across men and women, and emerging adult and older adult groups. The findings provided some psychometric support for the use of the original OGD-Q in adults. The psychometric and practical implications of the findings are discussed.