Associations Between Gambling and Cognitive Function among U.S. Chinese Older Adults

Abstract

This study aims to examine the associations between gambling participation, problem gambling, and cognition. Data were derived from the PINE study. Gambling participation was measured by Modified South Oaks Gambling Screen. Problem gambling was assessed with Problem Gambling Severity Index. Cognition was measured by East Boston Memory Test, Digit Span Backward, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, and Mini-Mental State Examination. Of all participants, 41.940% were male. Higher gambling participation was significantly associated with higher global cognition ( b = .008, SE = .003, p < .05), executive function ( b = .118, SE = .049, p < .05), and episodic memory ( b = .009, SE = .004, p < .05). Higher problem gambling was significantly related to lower Mini-Mental State Examination ( b = -.105, SE = .031, p < .001). Guiding older adults’ gambling behaviors and intervening in problem gambling timely might be crucial for their cognitive function.