Predicting the drinking behavior of older adults from questionnaire measures of alcohol consumption

The relationship between three questionnaire measures of alcohol consumption and self-monitoring reports of drinking in the natural environment was investigated in 83 normal drinkers over 60 years of age. Following questionnaire administration subjects recorded their alcohol consumption each day for up to three months. Collaterals verified subjects' self-monitoring reports. Questionnaire scores and self-monitoring reports of frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption were generally well correlated. Regression analyses showed the Questionnaire Measure of Habitual Alcohol Use to be the best predictor of both drinking frequency and quantity. Measurement issues related to the use of verbal reports of alcohol consumption with elderly drinkers are discussed.