A new scoring methodology for SDS and CAST screening questionnaire was proposed. ► This is the st... more A new scoring methodology for SDS and CAST screening questionnaire was proposed. ► This is the study with the highest number of adolescents screened. ► Optimal scaling of the 6 items for CAST and 5 items for SDS were performed. ► The CAST and SDS are equally useful for screening for problematic cannabis use. ► CAST MCA scoring version has better known-groups criterion validity.
This paper is aimed at shading the light on the diffusion and characteristics of gambling in Ital... more This paper is aimed at shading the light on the diffusion and characteristics of gambling in Italy. In a path departing from the economic entity of the phenomenon, concerning both generated income for the State and expenditure by gamblers, through the description of the increase in the offer of gambling opportunities, the paper presents meaningful epidemiological data describing the current features of the phenomenon in Italy and provides the necessary backdrop to interpret it. The results of two studies, European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD®Italia), and Italian Population Survey on Alcohol and other Drugs (IPSAD®), conducted by the Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council, form the basis for an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of gambling both among adolescent students aged 15-19 and in the general population (15-64). The use of specific screening tests allow to provide an insight into the diffusion of problematic forms associated to this activity. The description presented in the present paper comprises a detailed analysis of individual and environmental characteristics associated to gambling behaviours and different gamblers’ profiles. Evidences provided can greatly contribute to informing evidence-based prevention policies and interventions, whose effectiveness is being displayed. Indeed, statistical analysis presented in this paper show how the increase in prevention activities implemented in school is associated to a decrease in the share of young at-risk and problem gamblers.
► A new scoring methodology for SDS and CAST screening questionnaire was proposed. ► This is the ... more ► A new scoring methodology for SDS and CAST screening questionnaire was proposed. ► This is the study with the highest number of adolescents screened. ► Optimal scaling of the 6 items for CAST and 5 items for SDS were performed. ► The CAST and SDS are equally useful for screening for problematic cannabis use. ► CAST MCA scoring version has better known-groups criterion validity. a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Keywords: Scoring system Screening Cross-validation Cannabis use disorders Adolescents Purpose: Psychometric and screening properties of the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) and of the Severity Dependence Scale (SDS) were investigated using DSM-IV diagnoses of cannabis dependence (CD) as external criteria. Performance of the SDS and of the CAST were compared. Methods: Cross-sectional European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) was carried out in Italy in 2009. The sample consisted of 5787 Italian adolescents aged 15-19 who reported cannabis last year use.
Gambling has seen a significant increase in Italy in the last 10 years and has rapidly become a p... more Gambling has seen a significant increase in Italy in the last 10 years and has rapidly become a public health issue, and for these reasons the first National Helpline for Problem Gambling (GR-Helpline) has been established. The aims of this study are to describe the GR-Helpline users' characteristics and to compare the prevalence rates of the users with those of moderate-risk/problematic gamblers obtained from the national survey (IPSAD 2010(IPSAD -2011. Statistical analysis was performed on data obtained from the counselling sessions (phone/e-mail/chat) carried out on 5,805 users (57.5% gamblers; 42.5% families/friends). This confirms that the problems related to gambling concern not only the gamblers but also their families and friends. Significant differences were found between gamblers and families/friends involving gender (74% of gamblers were male; 76.9% of families/friends were female), as well as ageclasses and geographical area. Female gamblers had a higher mean age (47.3 versus 40.2 years) and preferred nonstrategy-based games. Prevalence rates of GR-Helpline users and of moderate risk/problematic gamblers were correlated (Rho = 0.58; = 0.0113). The results highlight the fact that remote access to counselling can be an effective means of promoting treatment for problem gamblers who do not otherwise appeal directly for services.
► A new scoring methodology for SDS and CAST screening questionnaire was proposed. ► This is the ... more ► A new scoring methodology for SDS and CAST screening questionnaire was proposed. ► This is the study with the highest number of adolescents screened. ► Optimal scaling of the 6 items for CAST and 5 items for SDS were performed. ► The CAST and SDS are equally useful for screening for problematic cannabis use. ► CAST MCA scoring version has better known-groups criterion validity. a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Keywords: Scoring system Screening Cross-validation Cannabis use disorders Adolescents Purpose: Psychometric and screening properties of the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) and of the Severity Dependence Scale (SDS) were investigated using DSM-IV diagnoses of cannabis dependence (CD) as external criteria. Performance of the SDS and of the CAST were compared. Methods: Cross-sectional European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) was carried out in Italy in 2009. The sample consisted of 5787 Italian adolescents aged 15-19 who reported cannabis last year use.
A new scoring methodology for SDS and CAST screening questionnaire was proposed. ► This is the st... more A new scoring methodology for SDS and CAST screening questionnaire was proposed. ► This is the study with the highest number of adolescents screened. ► Optimal scaling of the 6 items for CAST and 5 items for SDS were performed. ► The CAST and SDS are equally useful for screening for problematic cannabis use. ► CAST MCA scoring version has better known-groups criterion validity.
This paper is aimed at shading the light on the diffusion and characteristics of gambling in Ital... more This paper is aimed at shading the light on the diffusion and characteristics of gambling in Italy. In a path departing from the economic entity of the phenomenon, concerning both generated income for the State and expenditure by gamblers, through the description of the increase in the offer of gambling opportunities, the paper presents meaningful epidemiological data describing the current features of the phenomenon in Italy and provides the necessary backdrop to interpret it. The results of two studies, European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD®Italia), and Italian Population Survey on Alcohol and other Drugs (IPSAD®), conducted by the Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council, form the basis for an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of gambling both among adolescent students aged 15-19 and in the general population (15-64). The use of specific screening tests allow to provide an insight into the diffusion of problematic forms associated to this activity. The description presented in the present paper comprises a detailed analysis of individual and environmental characteristics associated to gambling behaviours and different gamblers’ profiles. Evidences provided can greatly contribute to informing evidence-based prevention policies and interventions, whose effectiveness is being displayed. Indeed, statistical analysis presented in this paper show how the increase in prevention activities implemented in school is associated to a decrease in the share of young at-risk and problem gamblers.
► A new scoring methodology for SDS and CAST screening questionnaire was proposed. ► This is the ... more ► A new scoring methodology for SDS and CAST screening questionnaire was proposed. ► This is the study with the highest number of adolescents screened. ► Optimal scaling of the 6 items for CAST and 5 items for SDS were performed. ► The CAST and SDS are equally useful for screening for problematic cannabis use. ► CAST MCA scoring version has better known-groups criterion validity. a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Keywords: Scoring system Screening Cross-validation Cannabis use disorders Adolescents Purpose: Psychometric and screening properties of the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) and of the Severity Dependence Scale (SDS) were investigated using DSM-IV diagnoses of cannabis dependence (CD) as external criteria. Performance of the SDS and of the CAST were compared. Methods: Cross-sectional European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) was carried out in Italy in 2009. The sample consisted of 5787 Italian adolescents aged 15-19 who reported cannabis last year use.
Gambling has seen a significant increase in Italy in the last 10 years and has rapidly become a p... more Gambling has seen a significant increase in Italy in the last 10 years and has rapidly become a public health issue, and for these reasons the first National Helpline for Problem Gambling (GR-Helpline) has been established. The aims of this study are to describe the GR-Helpline users' characteristics and to compare the prevalence rates of the users with those of moderate-risk/problematic gamblers obtained from the national survey (IPSAD 2010(IPSAD -2011. Statistical analysis was performed on data obtained from the counselling sessions (phone/e-mail/chat) carried out on 5,805 users (57.5% gamblers; 42.5% families/friends). This confirms that the problems related to gambling concern not only the gamblers but also their families and friends. Significant differences were found between gamblers and families/friends involving gender (74% of gamblers were male; 76.9% of families/friends were female), as well as ageclasses and geographical area. Female gamblers had a higher mean age (47.3 versus 40.2 years) and preferred nonstrategy-based games. Prevalence rates of GR-Helpline users and of moderate risk/problematic gamblers were correlated (Rho = 0.58; = 0.0113). The results highlight the fact that remote access to counselling can be an effective means of promoting treatment for problem gamblers who do not otherwise appeal directly for services.
► A new scoring methodology for SDS and CAST screening questionnaire was proposed. ► This is the ... more ► A new scoring methodology for SDS and CAST screening questionnaire was proposed. ► This is the study with the highest number of adolescents screened. ► Optimal scaling of the 6 items for CAST and 5 items for SDS were performed. ► The CAST and SDS are equally useful for screening for problematic cannabis use. ► CAST MCA scoring version has better known-groups criterion validity. a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Keywords: Scoring system Screening Cross-validation Cannabis use disorders Adolescents Purpose: Psychometric and screening properties of the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) and of the Severity Dependence Scale (SDS) were investigated using DSM-IV diagnoses of cannabis dependence (CD) as external criteria. Performance of the SDS and of the CAST were compared. Methods: Cross-sectional European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) was carried out in Italy in 2009. The sample consisted of 5787 Italian adolescents aged 15-19 who reported cannabis last year use.
Uploads
Papers by Claudia Luppi