title: Validation of the 8-item Attitudes Towards Gambling Scale (ATGS-8) in a British population survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Public opinions concerning gambling are an important factor in shaping public policy. Little empirical attention has been given to assessing gambling attitudes within the general population. The aim of the present study is to validate the 8-item Attitudes Towards Gambling Scale (ATGS-8) in British individuals and to investigate associations of these attitudes with frequency of gambling and gambling problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were derived from 7746 individuals participating in the British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2010, a comprehensive interview-based survey conducted in Great Britain between November 2009 and May 2010. Confirmatory factor analysis and separate regression analyses were applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The one-dimensional structure of the ATGS-8 was confirmed in the community sample and by gender. Furthermore, more positive attitudes towards gambling were positively related to frequency of gambling and gambling problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study extends the previous evaluations of the scale by providing detailed evidence for the utility and usefulness of the ATGS-8 in a community sample and across gender. The ATGS-8 is a valid instrument to assess public opinion on gambling among the general population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Italy. Electronic address: natalecanale4@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Natale
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Canale
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vieno
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pastore
authors.affiliation: Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghisi
authors.affiliation: International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Division, Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D011639:Public Opinion; D017678:Sex Distribution; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Attitudes; Gambling; Population study; Psychometric evaluation; Public opinion