Gambling disorder in late life: A systematic review of behavioral patterns, clinical correlates, and psychotherapeutic interventions
- 1Department of Educational Sciences Section of Psychology, University of Catania Catania Italy
- 2Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Center of Excellence For The Acceleration of Harm Reduction (COEHAR), University of Catania Catania Italy
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Gambling in older adults represents an emerging but still underrecognized mental health concern. Although gambling participation is increasingly observed in later life, the specific psychological, social, cognitive, and biological factors associated with gambling‐related problems in older adults remain insufficiently characterized.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Empirical studies involving adults aged ≥55 years with Gambling were identified through searches of Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycNET, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP from January 15 to June 15, 2025.
Results: From 40,263 identified records, 35 studies met the inclusion criteria. The included studies, published between 2000 and 2025, primarily investigated gambling behaviors, severity, psychosocial correlates, and associated mental health outcomes in older adults. Commonly identified correlates to gambling‐related problems included loneliness, reduced social support, financial difficulties, male gender, stressful life events, and early gambling initiation. Gambling was frequently reported as a recreational activity but could become maladaptive when used as a strategy to regulate negative emotions or cope with social isolation. Psychiatric comorbidity, particularly depression and anxiety, was frequently observed in clinical and high‐risk samples. Evidence regarding psychological interventions remains limited but suggests potential benefits.
Discussion and Conclusions: Current evidence highlights substantial gaps in age‐specific assessment and targeted interventions. Future studies should prioritize tailored psychological interventions addressing loneliness, emotional regulation, cognitive distortions, and life transitions in later adulthood.
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BibTeX
@article{prezzavento2026gambling,
title = {{Gambling disorder in late life: A systematic review of behavioral patterns, clinical correlates, and psychotherapeutic interventions}},
author = {Graziella C. Prezzavento and Maria C. Quattropani and Vittorio Lenzo and Alberto Sardella and Chiara Franceschini and Giulia Galea and Pasquale Caponnetto},
journal = {The American Journal on Addictions},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1111/ajad.70188},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.70188},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Gambling disorder in late life: A systematic review of behavioral patterns, clinical correlates, and psychotherapeutic interventions
AU - Graziella C. Prezzavento
AU - Maria C. Quattropani
AU - Vittorio Lenzo
AU - Alberto Sardella
AU - Chiara Franceschini
AU - Giulia Galea
AU - Pasquale Caponnetto
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/18
JO - The American Journal on Addictions
DO - 10.1111/ajad.70188
UR - https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.70188
AB - Background and Objectives: Gambling in older adults represents an emerging but still underrecognized mental health concern. Although gambling participation is increasingly observed in later life, the specific psychological, social, cognitive, and biological factors associated with gambling‐related problems in older adults remain insufficiently characterized. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Empirical studies involving adults aged ≥55 years with Gambling were identified through searches of Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycNET, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP from January 15 to June 15, 2025. Results: From 40,263 identified records, 35 studies met the inclusion criteria. The included studies, published between 2000 and 2025, primarily investigated gambling behaviors, severity, psychosocial correlates, and associated mental health outcomes in older adults. Commonly identified correlates to gambling‐related problems included loneliness, reduced social support, financial difficulties, male gender, stressful life events, and early gambling initiation. Gambling was frequently reported as a recreational activity but could become maladaptive when used as a strategy to regulate negative emotions or cope with social isolation. Psychiatric comorbidity, particularly depression and anxiety, was frequently observed in clinical and high‐risk samples. Evidence regarding psychological interventions remains limited but suggests potential benefits. Discussion and Conclusions: Current evidence highlights substantial gaps in age‐specific assessment and targeted interventions. Future studies should prioritize tailored psychological interventions addressing loneliness, emotional regulation, cognitive distortions, and life transitions in later adulthood.
SN - 1055-0496
SN - 1521-0391
ER -