Van Der Mass

Mark van der Maas

Assistant Professor, Rutgers School of Social Work
Chapter Member: New Jersey-Philadelphia SSN
Areas of Expertise:

Connect with Mark

(416) 829-4160

About Mark

van der Maas' research focuses primarily on problem gambling. The overarching theme of his work is identifying how trends in gambling provision contribute to the experience of gambling-related harm.

Contributions | No Jargon Podcast | In the News | Publications

Contributions

Why Coach Bus Tours for Older Adults Often Encourage Harmful Gambling

Key Findings Brief,

Publications

"A Free Ride? An Analysis of the Association of Casino Bus Tours and Problem Gambling among Older Adults" (with Robert E. Mann, Flora I. Matheson, Nigel E. Turner, Hayley A. Hamilton, and John McCready). Addiction 112, no. 12 (2017): 2217-2224.

Finds that among older adults (55+) attending slots locations, past year use of organized bus tours is associated with a 1.8 higher odds of problem gambling. Discusses this as an indication that promotional activities contribute to increased gambling-related harm among older adults.

"Problem Gambling, Anxiety, and Poverty: An Examination of the Relationship between Poor Mental Health and Gambling Problems across Socio-Economic Status" International Gambling Studies 16, no. 2 (2016): 281-295.

Uses representative survey data from the Canadian Community Health Survey. Shows that the positive relationship between self-reported anxiety disorders and problem gambling is significantly stronger for those of lower socioeconomic status.

"Problem Gambling in a Sample of Older Adult Casino Gamblers: Associations with Gambling Participations and Motivations" (with Robert E. Mann, John McCready, Flora I. Matheson, Nigel E. Turner, Hayley A. Hamilton, Tracey Schrans, and Anca Ialomiteanu). Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology 30, no. 1 (2017): 3-10.

Focuses on types of gambling participated in and motivations for visiting casinos. Finds that several forms of gambling and motivations to gamble are associated with greater risk of problem gambling. Finds that some motivations are associated with lower risk of problem gambling.