Gambling disorder in late life: A systematic review of behavioral patterns, clinical correlates, and psychotherapeutic interventions.
Graziella C Prezzavento, Maria C Quattropani, Vittorio Lenzo et al.
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In 30 seconds
This PRISMA-guided systematic review examined gambling behaviors, clinical correlates, and interventions among adults aged ≥55 years. Searches identified 40,263 records, of which 35 studies published between 2000 and 2025 met inclusion criteria. Studies commonly linked gambling-related problems with loneliness, reduced social support, financial difficulties, male gender, stressful life events, and early gambling initiation. Depression and anxiety were frequently reported in clinical and high-risk samples. Gambling was often recreational, but could become maladaptive when used to manage negative emotions or social isolation; evidence on psychological interventions was limited but suggested potential benefit.
Key findings
- Of 40,263 records identified, 35 studies met the review’s inclusion criteria.
- Loneliness, reduced social support, financial difficulties, male gender, stressful life events, and early gambling initiation were commonly associated with gambling-related problems.
- Depression and anxiety were frequently observed in clinical and high-risk samples.
- Evidence on psychological interventions was limited, although findings suggested potential benefits.
Why it matters
The review highlights that gambling-related problems in later life may intersect with social isolation, financial strain, emotional coping, and mental health comorbidity. Recognizing these patterns can inform age-sensitive assessment and help identify areas for further research. The limited intervention evidence also underscores that the effectiveness of tailored psychological approaches remains uncertain.
What to keep in mind
The review reports limited evidence on psychological interventions and substantial gaps in age-specific assessment and targeted interventions.