Background: Older adults are the fastest growing age group in Canada. They also represent the highest proportion of gamblers. Being married has been found to be a protective factor against problem gambling. Married people report lower problem gambling in comparison to unmarried respondents. Un-partnered older adults may be more socially isolated and lonely. Consequently, they may be more likely to engage in gambling and be at greater risk for problem gambling.
Methods: This study examines whether social motivations (gambling to socialize or gambling due to loneliness) and social context (going to the casino with friends and family) mediate the relation between marital status and problem gambling for older adults. Data are from a randomly selected representative sample of 2,103 older adults surveyed at seven gambling venues across Ontario.
Results: Mediation analyses indicated that gambling with family or friends, and loneliness mediated the relationship between marital status and Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) scores. Relative to older adults who were married, those who were divorced, widowed or single were less likely to gamble with family or friends and had higher PGSI scores. Un-partnered older adults were also more likely to gamble due to loneliness and had higher PGSI scores. Gambling to socialize mediated the relation between marital status and PGSI score for widowed relative to married older adults only. Gender differences in these relationships were found.
Conclusions: Problem gambling treatment and prevention initiatives should examine ways to decrease loneliness and social isolation among older adults and offer alternative social activities.
