Development, psychometric validation, and cross-cultural comparison of the "Instagram Motives Questionnaire" (IMQ) and the "Instagram Uses and Patterns Questionnaire" (IUPQ).

Background and aims: Social network use is widespread, and the study of Instagram seems to have captured more attention in recent years. However, scale development and validation in the field has fallen short of providing sound scales of Instagram motives and usage patterns that consider the uniqueness of Instagram-related behavior. This paper describes the development, psychometric and cross-cultural validation of two new measurement instruments: the "Instagram Motives Questionnaire" (IMQ) and the "Instagram Uses and Patterns Questionnaire" (IUPQ). Methods and results: A preliminary set of items was developed for each questionnaire based on a previous qualitative interview study on Instagram motives, uses, and consequences. In the first study, the questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 312 participants aged 18-35 years (M = 23.81; SD = 4.49), and an exploratory factor analysis was performed. A parsimonious and interpretable 6-factor solution that displayed adequate factor loadings and adequate Omega coefficients for both instruments were found. In a second study, the two instruments and other measures of known social network usage correlates and mental health consequences were administered online to 1,418 English-speaking participants aged 18-34 years (M = 21.35; SD = 3.89). Both scales showed good psychometric properties and the factor structure identified in study 1 was reproduced through confirmatory factor analysis. Omega reliability coefficients were adequate. Finally, when performing multi-group CFA along with a French (n = 1,826) and a Spanish (n = 3,040) sample, language and gender invariance were supported. Correlations with other relevant measures indicate good convergent validity of both scales. Conclusions: The present research provides psychometrically sound instruments for further investigations on Instagram use behaviors.

Women with compulsive buying or gambling disorder: Similar profiles for different behavioural addictions.

The aim of the present study was to examine the differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of 104 women diagnosed with compulsive buying behaviour (CBB = 55) or gambling disorder (GD = 49) treated at three public hospitals unit specialized in behavioural addictions from January 2004 to December 2015. Significant between-group differences in sociodemographic variables were observed for cohabitation status (living with a partner or not) and educational level, with a higher percentage of women in the GD group cohabiting (х2 (1), p = .029). By contrast, the CBB group had a significantly higher educational level (х2 (1) = 7.4, p = .007). There were no significant differences between the groups in age of onset, age at treatment initiation, age at the onset of behavioural problems, or in the years elapsed until presenting addiction problems. However, there were significant between-group differences in the amount of money spent weekly (F (1.100) = 4.9, p = .028), with women in the CBB group spending on average €289.4/week (SD, 412.4) versus €151/week (SD, 141.23) in the GD group. The CBB group had significantly more depressive disorders compared to the GD group (х2(1) = 5.4, p = .020). In contrast, the GD group presented significantly more tobacco use than the CBB group (х2(1) = 1.19, p = .000). This study suggests that women with CBB or GD share more characteristics than differences and the treatment approaches must take into account gender related factors.

Male and female pathological gamblers: bet in a different way and show different mental disorders

Although in the last years several studies comparing male and female pathological gamblers have been published, most of them have been carried out using only samples of males. The aim of this study was to investigate gender differences in a sample of subjects diagnosed with pathological gambling (PG) attending three specialized outpatient units. Retrospective study was carried out of 96 patients (49% female and 51% male), comparing the main socio-demographic, clinical, and behavioral data. Most subjects (94%) met the criteria for pathological gambling. No significant differences between sexes were found in the severity of gambling behavior or the socio-demographic variables studied. Whereas slot machines were the main type of game for most subjects, a higher percentage of women were addicted to bingo (χ2 (1, 4) = 5.19, p = .029 Cohen’s d = 0.48) and had more than one type of game as a secondary addiction χ2 (1, 4) = 7.63, p = .006; Cohen’s d = 0.59) . Women started gambling at a later age than men (t(94) = 2.95, p = .004; Cohen’s d = 0.60), but developed a pattern of addiction faster ( t(94) = 2.95, p = .004; Cohen's d = -0.61) . Women also had higher comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders (χ2 (1) = 7.28, p = .007; Cohen’s d = 0.57), specifically with affective (χ2 (1) = 11.31, p = .001; Cohen’s d = 0.73) and personality disorders (χ2 (1) = 4.71, p = .030; Cohen’s d = 0.45). Our results indicate the existence of differences between women and men in the pattern of gambling behavior and in psychiatric comorbidity. These aspects should be considered in the design of treatment programs for pathological gamblers (AU)

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Male and female pathological gamblers: bet in a different way and show different mental disorders.

Although in the last years several studies comparing male and female pathological gamblers have been published, most of them have been carried out using only samples of males. The aim of this study was to investigate gender differences in a sample of subjects diagnosed with pathological gambling (PG) attending three specialized outpatient units. Retrospective study was carried out of 96 patients (49% female and 51% male), comparing the main socio-demographic, clinical, and behavioral data. Most subjects (94%) met the criteria for pathological gambling. No significant differences between sexes were found in the severity of gambling behavior or the socio-demographic variables studied. Whereas slot machines were the main type of game for most subjects, a higher percentage of women were addicted to bingo (χ2 (1, 4) = 5.19, p = .029 Cohen's d = 0.48) and had more than one type of game as a secondary addiction χ2 (1, 4) = 7.63, p = .006; Cohen's d = 0.59) . Women started gambling at a later age than men (t (94) = 2.95, p = .004; Cohen's d = 0.60), but developed a pattern of addiction faster ( t (94) = 2.95, p = .004; Cohen's d = -0.61) . Women also had higher comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders (χ2 (1) = 7.28, p = .007; Cohen's d = 0.57), specifically with affective (χ2 (1) = 11.31, p = .001; Cohen's d = 0.73) and personality disorders (χ2 (1) = 4.71, p = .030; Cohen's d = 0.45). Our results indicate the existence of differences between women and men in the pattern of gambling behavior and in psychiatric comorbidity. These aspects should be considered in the design of treatment programs for pathological gamblers.