Operationalization and measurement of compulsivity across video gaming and gambling behavioral domains

Compulsivity is the hallmark of addiction progression and, as a construct, has played an important role in unveiling the etiological pathways from learning mechanisms underlying addictive behavior to harms resulting from it. However, a sound use of the compulsivity construct in the field of behavior...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC Psychology 2023-11, Vol.11 (1), p.1-407, Article 407
Main Authors: Muela, Ismael, Navas, Juan F, Barrada, Juan R, López-Guerrero, José, Rivero, Francisco J, Brevers, Damien, Perales, José C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addictions
Addictive behaviors
Behavior
Behavioral addiction
Compulsivity
Gambling
Games
Internet
Measurement
Questionnaires
Validation
Video gaming
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Summary:Compulsivity is the hallmark of addiction progression and, as a construct, has played an important role in unveiling the etiological pathways from learning mechanisms underlying addictive behavior to harms resulting from it. However, a sound use of the compulsivity construct in the field of behavioral addictions has been hindered to date by the lack of consensus regarding its definition and measurement. Here we capitalize on a previous systematic review and expert appraisal to develop a compulsivity scale for candidate behavioral addictions (the Granada Assessment for Cross-domain Compulsivity, GRACC). The initial scale (GRACC90) consisted of 90 items comprising previously proposed operationalizations of compulsivity, and was validated in two panel samples of individuals regularly engaging in gambling and video gaming, using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and convergence analyses. The GRACC90 scale is unidimensional and structurally invariant across samples, and predicted severity of symptoms, lower quality of life, and negative affect, to similar degrees in the two samples. Additionally, poorer quality of life and negative affect were comparably predicted by compulsivity and by severity of symptoms. A shorter version of the scale (GRACC18) is proposed, based on selecting the 18 items with highest factor loadings.
ISSN:2050-7283
2050-7283
DOI:10.1186/s40359-023-01439-1