A Life Course and Socio-Ecological Evaluation of Gambling Behaviours Among Older Adults
Date
2023-09-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Background: Problem gambling measures require evaluation for age equivalence in older adults. Accurate measurement is necessary for understanding factors related to later-life gambling, including unique circumstances that may increase vulnerability to problem gambling (e.g., life events, worsening health, changing social contexts). Research with older gamblers that incorporates the intersection between individual, social, and social life course factors is limited. Methods: Utilizing older adult samples from existing longitudinal datasets, three studies examined: (1) the psychometric properties of the commonly used Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) using classical test theory approaches; (2) if responses to PGSI items differ by age, gender, and problem gambling severity using Rasch modeling; and (3) the between- and within-person influence of life events on gambling frequency and PGSI scores, accounting for individual and social factors using multilevel modeling. Results: Study 1 found that the PGSI had a single-factor structure, which was invariant between genders; good internal consistency; and concurrent validity with overall gambling frequency, and frequency of electronic gaming machine (EGM) use, bingo, and instant win tickets. In Study 2, all but three PGSI items demonstrated appropriate fit to the Rasch model; the PGSI does not appear to differentiate older persons across the problem gambling severity continuum (may not identify less severe problems in older gamblers); and there were differences in item functioning between older and younger adults. Study 3 showed that PGSI scores decreased in older age; were higher in women; were positively related to stressful life events on average, and this relationship was modulated by age (impact of stressful events on problem gambling decreased with higher age); and social support was protective against problem gambling on average. Conclusion: Results demonstrate that the PGSI measures a single construct in older adults; however, the PGSI functions differently in older adults and may not detect less severe levels of problem gambling. Future research should identify or develop the most accurate problem gambling measures for older gamblers. Despite problem gambling severity appearing to decrease with age, efforts are needed to reduce problem gambling risk in older adults that have lower social support and who experience stressful life events.
Description
Keywords
gambling, problem gambling, older adults, PGSI, life course
Citation
Gorenko, J. A. (2023). A life course and socio-ecological evaluation of gambling behaviours among older adults (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.