Mennonite's Kerber studies gambling in older adults

Mennonite College of Nursing Assistant Professor Cindy Kerber is setting out to study a little-known health problem in the United States: pathological gambling in older, incarcerated adults.

Older adults are vulnerable to pathological gambling. They may have more free time and access to lump sum retirement accounts. The gambling industry also markets to them, often in sync with the arrival of social security checks, the industry- termed “third of the month club.” Research also indicates that older adults with gambling problems have a worse health status and may be more prone to depression, anxiety, alcoholism and personality disorders. It is difficult for people to identify gambling as a problem because of denial and embarrassment, which also makes it hard for healthcare providers to diagnose.

Those who are incarcerated are of particular concern as well. Prior research has indicated that as many as one third of prisoners have a gambling problem or pathology. Adults in prison also have a health age 10-15 years older than their stated age. Gambling activity may continue throughout incarceration and simply go untreated.

All of these factors have major implications for health care in the U.S. as it has been estimated that about one percent of the population receives health care through the prison system.

“I hope to learn how pervasive gambling problems are among incarcerated older adults in Illinois. Then, if warranted, offer Gamblers’ Anonymous meetings to begin recovery before release or parole,” Kerber said. She hopes that her study will provide a basis for more comprehensive interventions for incarcerated individuals so that they are less likely to re-offend when they are released.

Her current study is in the proposal stage, but it is the continuation of gambling as a theme in her research. She has completed studies on gambling in college student athletes and with older adult, recovering gamblers. Kerber will use the South Oaks Gambling Screen, which is the worldwide standard screening tool for pathological gambling developed by former Illinois State criminal justice professor Henry Lesieur.

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