Fun, Money, and Feeling Down: Examining the Associations between Motivations and Problem Gambling among Men and Women in a Sample of Older Adults

Gambling in a U.S. Census Matched Sample: Examining Interactions between Means and Motives in Predicting Problematic Outcomes

The influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on risk of Problem Gambling (PG) is complex, particularly given recent evidence that SES should be understood in both objective and subjective terms. Likewise, financial gambling motives have been found to be predictive of PG; however, financial motives are less understood in comparison to other gambling motives. Preliminary findings on SES and gambling points towards a pattern of social inequality in which those with the least financial resources (e.g., income) or that feel financially deprived relative to others (e.g., perceived deprivation) experience greater harm and problems. In a weighted, census matched sample of adults in the U.S. (N = 1,348), the present study examined the interaction between financial gambling motives and income and financial gambling motives and perceived deprivation in predicting PG. Findings provided support for both financial gambling motives and perceived deprivation as robust predictors of PG. Further, results provided unique insights into the role subjective economic standing may play in the relationship between financial motives for gambling and risk of PG.

Emotional dependence as a predictor of emotional symptoms and substance abuse in individuals with gambling disorder: differential analysis by sex

INTRODUCTION

Emotional dependence, anxious-depressive symptoms and substance use have been associated with gambling disorder (GD). Although anxiety and depression have been predominantly related to female gamblers and substance abuse to male gamblers, the role of emotional dependence in GD is unknown. Moreover, sex differences remain underexplored.

OBJECTIVES

First, to explore possible differences in emotional dependence, anxious-depressive symptoms and substance abuse by group (GD and non-GD) and sex (women vs men). Second, to analyse the predictive role of emotional dependence in alcohol and drug abuse and anxious-depressive symptoms in patients with GD as a function of sex.

METHODS

Instruments to measure gambling (SOGS), emotional dependence (CDE), anxious-depressive symptoms (SCL-90-R) and substance abuse (MULTICAGE CAD-4) were administered to 108 people with GD diagnosis (60 women and 48 men) and 429 without GD (342 women and 87 men).

STUDY DESIGN

The research is an analytical cross-sectional study.

RESULTS

The results showed that the group with GD scored significantly higher than the non-GD group on alcohol abuse, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and emotional dependence, but not on drug abuse. In the group with GD, emotional dependence predicted alcohol and drug abuse in women, and emotional dependence predicted anxiety and depressive symptoms in men.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that women with GD who consume alcohol or drugs would benefit from therapies addressing loneliness, borderline expression, attention-seeking and affective expression. Men with GD who report anxious-depressive symptomatology would benefit from therapeutic strategies to deal with separation anxiety and attention-seeking.

A scoping review of the individual, socio-cultural, environmental and commercial determinants of gambling for older adults: implications for public health research and harm prevention

Gambling is a global public health issue that can cause harm to individuals, families, and communities. Older adults are vulnerable to gambling harm due to life-stage experiences. This study aimed to examine current research relating to individual, socio-cultural, environmental, and commercial determinants of gambling among older adults. A scoping review was conducted (PubMed, PsycInfo, SocIndex, CINAHL Complete, Web of Science, Social Science and Sociology databases available in ProQuest, Google Scholar, citation searching), with peer reviewed studies included that were published between 1 December 1999 and 28 September 2022. Included studies were published in English in peer-reviewed journals that examined the determinants of gambling in adults aged 55 and over. Records were excluded if they were experimental studies, prevalence studies or had a population wider than the required age group. Methodological quality was assessed using JBI critical appraisal tools. Data was extracted using a determinants of health framework and common themes were identified. Forty-four were included. Most literature examined individual and socio-cultural determinants including reasons for gambling, risk management strategies, and social motivations for gambling. Few studies investigated environmental or commercial determinants, and those that did focused on accessibility of venues or promotions as pathways to gambling. Further research is needed to understand the impact of gambling environments and industry, and effective public health responses for older adults.