[Psychometric Evaluation of the German Version of the Short Questionnaire for Family Members-Affected by Addiction SQFM-AA (Gambling)]. / Psychometrische Evaluation des deutschen Kurzfragebogens für suchtbelastete Familienmitglieder SQFM-AA (Version Glücksspiel).

INTRODUCTION: Affected others of disordered gamblers are often heavily impacted because of the illness. Up till now, there is no standardized German instrument to assess this impact. Internationally, the Short Questionnaire for Family Members-affected by addiction (SQFM-AA) is often used which is based on the Stress-Strain-Coping-Support-Modell. That is why we translated this questionnaire into the German Kurzfragebogen für suchtbelastete Familienmitglieder SQFM-AA (Version Glücksspiel) to be able to assess the impact on affected others and to compare our results internationally. METHODS: The SQFM-AA was translated and retranslated and tested in an online convenience sample of affected others. Essential psychometric properties, discriminatory power, and internal consistency were calculated. Factor structure was analysed using an exploratory factor analysis (principal axis analysis, varimax rotation). RESULTS: Data collected from 122 affected others (87% female; 67% partners; 61% joint household) were analysed. Discriminatory power ranges between 0.30-0.94, Cronbach's alpha between 0.61-0.95. Factor analysis shows that 69% of variance can be explained in a solution with 9 factors. DISCUSSION: Due to the methods used when translating and back-translating the SQFM-AA, it can be assumed that both versions are comparable. Internal consistency of all scales is in an acceptable to good range. In our sample, the postulated 11 sub-scales cannot be reproduced. The 9 factors found here can be derived based on theoretical preliminary considerations. 4 of the scales are reflected well in the analysis, 3 more factors show a relevant load on other scales. Furthermore, one item each does not load on the proposed factor for the 2 remaining scales. All in all, the factors can be interpreted well regarding their content. A modification of the questionnaire would improve some of the statistical values, but the international comparability would no longer be possible. CONCLUSION: With the adaptation presented here, impact on affected others of disordered gamblers can be assessed and relevant areas for therapy and counselling can be identified.

[It's not only the gamblers who need help - a pilot study on a family training programme]. / Nicht nur Spieler brauchen Hilfe - Ergebnisse einer Pilotstudie zum Angehörigenprojekt ETAPPE.

Relatives of problematic and pathological gamblers are seriously affected by the illness comparable to relatives of substance abusers. Therefore they might need support. Hence the psycho-educational training programme ETAPPE was developed and tested in an explorative pilot study in cooperation with counselling services. The participants got several questionnaires concerning amongst others: self-assessment of stress, psychological distress and taxing subjects. Results show that families of problematic and pathological gamblers are highly stressed. ETAPPE addresses the topics that are a burden for families. Taking into consideration the limitations, there are positive trends: Through this training, self-assessment of stress, psychological distress and actual situative perceived stress are reduced significantly. Chronic stress remains unchanged. A conclusive evaluation of the effectiveness of this manualized programme is still pending.