ISSN : 2508-3082
This study sought to investigate the factorial structure, reliability, and validity of the Korean-version Processes of Change Scale for Gambling(K-POCS-G). K-POCS-G is translated into Korean, with the processes of change scale for alcohol misuse(POCS, Freyer, et. al, 2006) revised into a scale consisting of gambling-related items. A total of 2,429 problem gamblers(male: 2,358, female: 71) seeking treatment completed K-POCS-G. To verify the factorial structure of K-POCS-G, an explanatory factor analysis(EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis(CFA) were conducted on the data obtained from 382 gamblers in study 1. According to the results, K-POCS-G consisted of 6 factors including 15 items and indicated excellent reliability. In study 2, to investigate the cross-validation of K-POCS-G's factorial structure as identified in study 1, a confirmatory factor analysis(CFA) was conducted on the data obtained from a different sample of gamblers. The results showed that K-POCS-G was a reliable, valid scale. In addition, in the process of discontinuing the gambling habits of problem gamblers, an analysis of variance was conducted to find out whether the stage of changes and processes of change match the transtheoretical model of change. The results showed that individuals in early stages mainly use cognitive-affective processes while individuals in later stages use more behavioral processes. In conclusion, the results imply that K-POCS-G is a reliable, valid scale in evaluating the activities of discontinuing gambling habits and can be utilized as a useful tool in gambling addiction treatment sites. Finally, the importance and limitations of this study, including future studies, were discussed.
This study aims to discuss the possibility of adolescent webtoon addiction by paying attention to the phenomenon of excessive use of webtoon by young people. To this end, we have added the basis by presenting the results of the survey on the use of webtoon along with the overview of existing studies. Young people, who account for 49% of webtoon users, have psychological vulnerability such as psychological stress, low self-control, and impulsiveness. This is a factor that makes young people addict to webtoons like other media. The motivations for using webtoons such as information and social interaction motivation, pleasure/convenience motivation, and motivation to escape/relieve tension are also the basis for adolescents to be addicted to webtoons. To explain this, the dissatisfaction of the basic psychological needs and motivational imbalance of the youth was made as a theoretical background. Considering that webtoon addiction will be conceptualized as a subfactor of behavioral addiction, we have presented the future direction of webtoon addiction research by examining the conceptualization process of existing behavioral addiction. In addition, through the survey on the use of webtoons, the difference between the youth of the risk group of the webtoon addiction and the youth of the general user group was analyzed using cross analysis. As a result, there were significant differences in gender, duration of webtoon use, daily average webtoon usage time, whether to pay for webtoons, satisfaction with using webtoons, experience of advice about addiction from people around them, and conflict experience in relationships through using webtoons. Finally, based on the results of this study, we discussed the significance of the study and the direction of future research.
In this study, we developed the Sex Addiction Scale(SAS) based on Substance Use Disorder criteria, Gambling Disorder criteria, and Internet Gaming Disorder criteria in the DSM-5. There are five criteria('Withdrawal', 'Tolerance', 'Preoccupation', 'Unsuccessful efforts to control', 'Jeopardizing relationship/ job/education') that are common criteria to three existing addiction-related disorders and three criteria('Use for escape or relieve from negative mood', 'Loss of interests/hobbies/entertainment', 'Continued use despite negative results') that are common criteria to at least two disorders. In addition, we included 'craving' criterion in Substance use disorder, and finally developed SAS consisting of 10 items in 9 criteria. SAS was developed with one item per criterion, but only the criterion of "Jeopardizing relationship, job, or education" was developed as two items. Using an online panel of Internet researchers, we collected data on 712 adult males who answered that they used their sexual object more than two or three times a month in order to solve their sexual craving over the past year. As a result of the analysis, the Sex Addiction Scale showed a stable one-factor structure and high reliability(Cronbach's α=.93), and there was a significant positive correlation with the frequency of 'Sexual behavior frequency scale', 'Irrational sexual beliefs scale', and 'Online addiction scale'. This suggests that this scale can reliably and adequately assess the level of sex addiction. The main results of this study and implications are discussed in detail in the discussion.