Marital Status and Problem Gambling among Older Adults: An Examination of Social Context and Social Motivations

ABSTRACTOlder adults represent the highest proportion of gamblers (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation [OLG], 2012). Unpartnered older adults may be more socially isolated and lonely (Dykstra & de Jong Gierveld, 2004), thus more likely to be at risk for problem gambling (McQuade & Gill, 2...

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Published inCanadian journal on aging Vol. 37; no. 3; pp. 318 - 322
Main Authors Elton-Marshall, Tara, Wijesingha, Rochelle, Sendzik, Taryn, Mock, Steven E, Maas, Mark van der, McCready, John, Mann, Robert E, Turner, Nigel E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Canada Cambridge University Press 01.09.2018
Subjects
Adults
Baby boomers
Behavior
Data analysis
Divorce
Families & family life
Friendship
Gamblers
Gambling
Gaming machines
Gender differences
Legalized gambling
Loneliness
Marital status
Marriage
Mental health
Older people
Pathological gambling
Population
Prevention
Prevention programs
Retirement
Social activities
Social control
Social environment
Social isolation
Social motivation
Socialization
Solitude
Statistical analysis
Women
Ontario Canada
Canada
problem gambling
social isolation
isolement social
marital status
older adults
jeu compulsif
aging
loneliness
personnes âgées
solitude
statut matrimonial
vieillissement
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Summary:ABSTRACTOlder adults represent the highest proportion of gamblers (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation [OLG], 2012). Unpartnered older adults may be more socially isolated and lonely (Dykstra & de Jong Gierveld, 2004), thus more likely to be at risk for problem gambling (McQuade & Gill, 2012). We examined whether gambling to socialize or from loneliness and going to the casino with friends/family mediate the relation between marital status and problem gambling. Data from a random sample of older adults at gambling venues across Southwestern Ontario indicated that gambling with family/friends and gambling due to loneliness mediated the relationship between marital status and problem gambling. Relative to those married, unpartnered older adults were less likely to gamble with family/friends, more likely to gamble due to loneliness, and had higher problem gambling. Prevention and treatment initiatives should examine ways to decrease loneliness and social isolation among older adults and offer alternative social activities.
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ISSN:0714-9808
1710-1107
DOI:10.1017/S071498081800017X