Gambling and ageing

Less illusion but more risk

Bibliographic Data

ID11201616
AuthorsMaylis Fontaine (0000-0002-4171-2202, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, corresponding author), Valérie Le Floch (0000-0001-5135-2055, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Céline Lemercier (0000-0002-2832-8724, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)
Year2023
Volume43
Issue3
Pages556-575
Publication date2023-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAgeing and Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0144-686X • E-ISSN: 1469-1779
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0144686x21000714
OpenAlexW3167306636
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited61

Seniors are a population of concern due to exposure to both increasing gambling venues and powerful age-specific risk factors. There has been only limited research on this population so far, but studies conducted among younger adults suggest that the illusion of control is a key factor, leading players to develop strategies that increase their risk-taking in gambling. Time perspective (TP) is a good indicator of risky behaviours in a number of different areas, including health and the environment. In the present study, we sought to identify the age-specific cognitive mechanisms underlying gambling behaviour in normal ageing. We asked 115 emerging adults (mean age = 20.86 years), 86 young adults (mean age = 30.59), 82 middle-aged adults (mean age = 44.57) and 108 seniors (mean age = 65.19) to play an online game. We rated their illusion of control, risk-taking and TP. Analysis revealed that seniors took more risks and had less illusion of control than younger adults. The fatalistic-present TP positively influenced the illusion of control, such that perceiving the present as being determined by uncontrollable forces increased the perceived level of control. Finally, we found an influence of age on TP. These results suggest that seniors constitute a specific population in terms of gambling-related cognitions and behaviours. Including TP in risky behaviour assessments would allow the development of tailor-made preventive measures

Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Developmental psychology · Fatalism · Illusion · Illusion of control · Perception · Population · Population ageing · Psychiatry · Young adult · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Demography · Gambling Behavior and Treatments · Medicine · Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology

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