Top

Published in:

01-06-2011 | Original Paper

A Longitudinal Study: Casino Gambling Attitudes, Motivations, and Gambling Patterns Among Urban Elders

Authors: Fayetta Martin, Peter A. Lichtenberg, Thomas N. Templin

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 2/2011

Abstract

Guided by self-determination theory, the main purpose of this study was to explore demographic characteristics, attitudes toward casinos, and self-reported intrinsic and extrinsic reasons for casino gambling by urban elders. The study hypothesized that individuals would more frequently report intrinsic motivations for casino gambling (e.g., entertainment, enjoyment) rather than extrinsic motivation (e.g., financial gain). This longitudinal sample included 247 urban elders older who were 60 years and older and who had participated in surveys in 2002 and 2004. The initial survey consisted of (a) demographic items, (b) five items to measure attitudes toward casino gambling, (c) questions inquiring about motivations for casino gambling, and (d) questions about gambling frequency. The follow-up survey was an expanded questionnaire which still included these items. The sample consisted of the 247 participants, over 200 of whom were African-Americans, 188 were female, and 98 of the participants had a post graduate education. About half were widowed, and the sample generally reported a low income. The results supported the theoretical perspective underlying the project. The hypothesis that more participants would endorse intrinsic motivations for casino gambling rather than extrinsic motivations was supported. The implications of these findings represent for social workers, gambling counselors and health care services providers an important step toward understanding the attitudes, behaviors, and motivational factors involved in casino gambling among older adults.

American Gaming Association. (2008). State of the states: The AGA survey of casino entertainment. Washington, DC: Author.

Chantal, Y., & Vallerand, R. J. (1996). Skill versus luck: A motivational analysis of gambling involvement. Journal of Gambling Studies, 12, 407–418.CrossRef

Chantal, Y., Vallerand, R. J., & Vallières, E. F. (1994). Construction et validation de l’Échelle de Motivation Relative aux Jeux de Hasard et d’Argent [On the development and validation of the gambling motivation scale (GMS)]. Society and Leisure, 17, 189–212.

Chantal, Y., Vallerand, R. J., & Vallières, E. F. (1995). Motivation and gambling involvement. Journal of Social Psychology, 135, 755–763.PubMedCrossRef

Chapleski, E. (2002). Facing the future: 2002 City of Detroit needs assessment of older adults: A report for the City of Detroit department of senior citizens. Detroit: Wayne State Institute of Gerontology Center for Urban Studies Center for Healthcare Effectiveness Research.

Clarke, D., & Clarkson, J. (2007). A preliminary investigation into motivational factors associated with older adults’ problem gambling. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. Retrieved September 21, 2001, from http://www.springerlink.com.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/content/43l2344k66q34468/fulltext.html.

Crisp, B. R., Thomas, S. A., Jackson, A. C., Thomason, N., Smith, S., Borrell, J., et al. (2000). Sex differences in the treatment needs and outcomes of problem gamblers. Research on Social Work Practice, 10, 229–242.

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York: Plenum.

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychologic Inquiry, 11, 319–338.CrossRef

Deci, E. L., Ryan, R. M., Gage, M., Leone, D. R., Usunov, J., & Kornazheva, B. P. (2001). Need satisfaction, motivation, and well-being in the work organizations of a former Eastern bloc country. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27, 930–942.CrossRef

Desai, R. A., Maciejewski, P. K., Dausey, D. J., Caldarone, B. J., & Potenza, M. N. (2004). Health correlates of recreational gambling in older adults. American Journal of Psychiatry, 161, 1672–1679.PubMedCrossRef

Hope, J., & Havir, L. (2002). You bet they’re having fun! Older Americans and casino gambling. Journal of Aging Studies, 16(2), 177–197.CrossRef

Hsu, C. H. C. (Ed.). (1999). Legalized gambling in the United States: The economic and social impact. New York: Haworth Hospitality Press.

Knee, C. R., & Neighbors, C. (2002). Self-determination, perception of peer pressure, and drinking among college students. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 32, 522–543.CrossRef

Korn, D. A., & Shaffer, H. J. (1999). Gambling and the health of the public: Adopting a public health perspective. Journal of Gambling Studies, 15, 289–365.PubMedCrossRef

McKay, C. (2005). Double jeopardy: Older women and problem gambling. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 3(2), 35–50.

McNeilly, D. P., & Burke, W. F. (2000). Late life gambling: The attitudes and behaviors of older adults. Journal of Gambling Studies, 16, 393–415.PubMedCrossRef

McNeilly, D. P., & Burke, W. F. (2002). Disposable time and disposable income: Problem gambling behaviors in older adults. Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology, 8, 75–86.CrossRef

National Opinion Research Center. (1999). Gambling Impact and Behavior Study. Chicago: University of Chicago.

National Research Council. (1999). Pathological gambling: A critical review. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

Neighbors, C., Lostutter, T. W., Cronce, J. M., & Larimer, M. E. (2002). Exploring college student gambling motivation. Journal of Gambling Studies, 18, 361–370.PubMedCrossRef

Neighbors, C., Larimer, M. E., & Lewis, M. A. (2004). Targeting misperceptions of descriptive drinking norms: Efficacy of a computer-delivered personalized normative feedback intervention. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72, 434–447.PubMedCrossRef

Neighbors, C., Lee, C. M., Lewis, M. A., Fossos, N., & Larimer, M. E. (2007). Are social norms the best predictor of outcomes among heavy-drinking college students? Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 68, 556–565.PubMed

Ryan, R. M., Plant, R. W., & O’Malley, S. (1995). Initial motivations for alcohol treatment: Relations with patient characteristics, treatment involvement, and dropout. Addictive Behaviors, 20, 279–297.PubMedCrossRef

Schulenberg, J. E., & Maggs, J. L. (2002). A developmental perspective on alcohol use and heavy drinking during adolescence and the transition to young adulthood. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 14(Supplement), 54–70.

Sheldon, K. M., Elliot, A. J., Kim, Y., & Kasser, T. (2001). What is satisfying about satisfying events? Testing 10 candidate psychological needs. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 325–339.PubMedCrossRef

Sullivan-Kerber, C. (2005). Defining “health correlates” in recreational gambling. American Journal of Psychiatry, 162, 1227.CrossRef

United State Census Bureau. (2010). Sixty-five plus in the United States. Retrieved June 6, 2010, from http://www.census.gov/population/socdemo/statbriefs/agebrief.html.

United Way of Michigan. (1999). The gaming industry in Michigan: Let’s deal with it. Kalamazoo, MI: Author.

Wiebe, J. M. D., & Cox, B. J. (2005). Problem and probable pathological gambling among older adults assessed by the SOGS-R. Journal of Gambling Studies, 22, 205–221.CrossRef

Williams, G., Cox, E., Hedberg, V., & Deci, E. (2000). Extrinsic life goals and health-risk behaviors in adolescents. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 30, 1756–1771.CrossRef

Wu, S. W. S., & Wortman, J. (2009). Senior citizen gaming: More than just buffets. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (1756–1771), 1(4), 344.CrossRef

Zaranek, R. R., & Chapleski, E. E. (2005). Casino gambling among urban elders: Just another social activity? Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 60B, S74–S81.

Zaranek, R. R., & Lichtenberg, P. A. (2008). Urban elders and casino gambling: Are they at risk of a gambling problem? Journal of Aging Studies, 22, 13–23.CrossRef

Title: A Longitudinal Study: Casino Gambling Attitudes, Motivations, and Gambling Patterns Among Urban Elders
Authors: Fayetta Martin
Peter A. Lichtenberg
Thomas N. Templin
Publication date: 01-06-2011
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 2/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-010-9202-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

A Longitudinal Study: Casino Gambling Attitudes, Motivations, and Gambling Patterns Among Urban Elders

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 2/2011

Beliefs About and Attitudes Toward Gambling in French-Speaking Switzerland

The Prevalence and Course of Pathological Gambling in the Mood Disorders

Gambling Behavior Among Adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

An Exploratory Study of Clinical Measures Associated with Subsyndromal Pathological Gambling in Patients with Binge Eating Disorder

Clinical Gender Differences Among Adult Pathological Gamblers Seeking Treatment

Lottery Promotions at the Point-of-Sale in Ontario, Canada