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Perceptions of elders' substance abuse and resilience
1Florida Atlantic University School of Social Work, Boca Raton, Florida 33431-0991, USA. MNKane@aol.com
Gerontology & Geriatrics Education
|May 15, 2009
Summary
Human service students recognize older adults benefit from substance abuse treatment. However, they underestimate alcohol-related problems and health consequences in elders, and fail to see alcohol as self-medication for depression.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Addiction Studies
- Social Work Education
Background:
- Older adults face unique challenges with substance abuse.
- Perceptions of resilience and recovery in this demographic are crucial for effective treatment.
- Human service students' views may influence future practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate human service students' perceptions of older adults' resilience and recovery from substance abuse.
- To identify factors influencing these perceptions.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 242 human service students (social work, criminal justice, public administration, psychology).
- Simple regression analysis to model perceptions of older persons' recovery and resilience.
Main Results:
- Students generally agreed older adults benefit from substance abuse treatment.
- Students underestimated alcohol-related problems, health consequences, and self-medication with alcohol in elders.
- Predictor variables explained over 30% of the variance in perceptions of older adults' recovery and resilience.
Conclusions:
- Human service students hold mixed views on older adults and substance abuse.
- Further education is needed to address age-related substance abuse misconceptions.
- Understanding these perceptions is key to improving geriatric addiction services.
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