A Life Course and Socio-Ecological Evaluation of Gambling Behaviours Among Older Adults

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dc.contributor.advisorKonnert, Candace A.
dc.contributor.authorGorenko, Julie Ann
dc.contributor.committeememberHodgins, David
dc.contributor.committeememberO'Neill, Thomas
dc.date.accessioned2023-09-15T17:07:38Z
dc.date.available2023-09-15T17:07:38Z
dc.date.issued2023-09-07
dc.description.abstractBackground: 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.
dc.identifier.citationGorenko, 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.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1880/117021
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studies
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgary
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectgambling
dc.subjectproblem gambling
dc.subjectolder adults
dc.subjectPGSI
dc.subjectlife course
dc.subject.classificationPsychology--Clinical
dc.titleA Life Course and Socio-Ecological Evaluation of Gambling Behaviours Among Older Adults
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplinePsychology – Clinical
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudentI require a thesis withhold – I need to delay the release of my thesis due to a patent application, and other reasons outlined in the link above. I have/will need to submit a thesis withhold application.
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