Abstract

This study aimed to examine the reliability, construct validity, and criterion-related validity of a diagnostic scale for adolescent gambling disorder based on DSM-5. In addition, it aimed to compare the psychometric properties of the DSM-5 gambling disorder diagnostic criteria with those of DSM-IV and GPSS, and to examine the accuracy of diagnostic classification. The researcher’s administered a standardized diagnostic criteria questionnaire to all 2,654 adolescent participants in Gyeongnam Province. Reliability, validity, and ROC analyses demonstrated that the DSM-5-based-diagnostic scale for adolescent gambling disorder had satisfactory reliability, validity, and accuracy in diagnostic classification. A cross-tabulation analysis further examines the differences in each scale’s severity distributions. The analysis revealed that the DSM-IV pathological gambling group and the DSM-5 gambling disorder group had a lower proportion of problems compared to the GPSS problem group. Finally, a discussion of the usefulness and accuracy of diagnosing gambling disorder in adolescents is presented based on the findings above, with implications for the future use of diagnostic scales.