SOGS

SOGS stands for the South Oaks Gambling Screen, a self-report questionnaire designed to screen for pathological gambling. It is widely used in clinical and research settings as a rapid, first-step assessment tool to identify individuals who may have gambling problems and who may benefit from further evaluation or treatment.

The instrument was developed in the late 20th century by researchers to provide a concise measure that approximates DSM criteria for pathological gambling. A revised version, known as SOGS-R, was later introduced to align with updated diagnostic concepts while preserving the core 20-item format.

SOGS consists of 20 yes/no items. The total score ranges from 0 to 20, with higher scores indicating greater gambling pathology. A commonly used cutoff is 5 or more suggesting probable pathological gambling, though some studies use lower or higher thresholds depending on the population and setting. The tool is typically administered as a brief self-report questionnaire, sometimes completed with clinician support to clarify responses.

In practice, SOGS is valued for its simplicity and speed, but it is not a diagnostic instrument. A high score indicates the need for a comprehensive clinical assessment, including consideration of DSM criteria and differential diagnosis. Limitations include potential over- or under-identification due to cultural or contextual factors and reliance on self-reported behavior. Researchers and clinicians often use SOGS in combination with other measures or diagnostic interviews to improve accuracy and cross-cultural validity.