Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
Depressive Symptoms and Alcohol Abuse/Misuse in Older Adults: Results from the Florida BRITE Project
Carlos A Rodriguez1, Lawrence Schonfeld1, Bellinda King-Kallimanis1
1Carlos A. Rodriguez. BA. is a graduate student studying clinical aging in the Clinical Science program of the Department of Psychology at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Bellinda King-Kallimanis is biostatistician at the Department of Aging and Mental Health Disparities. Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute. University of South Florida and a PhD candidate in the Department of Medical Psychology at the Academic Medical Center. University of Amsterdam. Dr. Lawrence Schonfeld is professor and chair of the Department of Aging and Mental Health Disparities. Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute. University of South Florida. Amber Gum is assistant professor in the Department of Aging and Mental Health Disparities. Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute. University of South Florida.
Abstract:
Previous research has suggested that older adults who misuse alcohol frequently report depressive symptoms as an antecedent to drinking. The objective of the present study was to investigate the extent to which higher levels of depressive symptoms were associated with elders' problem drinking by examining screening data from a three-year pilot program known as the Florida BRITE Project. BRITE (BRief Intervention and Treatment for Elders) is a multisite program offering brief interventions for community-based older adults screening positive for alcohol or medication misuse. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Short Geriatric Depression Scale: alcohol use was assessed with the first three questions from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Short-Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test-Geriatric version. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that older adults with higher levels of depressive symptoms were at greater risk for screening positive for alcohol problems, particularly among the "young-old" adults. The results not only suggest the importance of screening for both depressive symptoms and alcohol misuse in an older population, but also indicate that older adults are not a homogeneous group.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Long-term Depression
Fischer Projections
Freezing Point Depression and Boiling Point Elevation
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal to ambient atmospheric pressure. Since the vapor pressure of a solution is lowered due to the presence of nonvolatile solutes, it stands to reason that the solution’s boiling point will subsequently be increased. Vapor pressure increases with temperature, and so a solution will require a higher temperature than will pure solvent to achieve any given vapor pressure, including one...
Depressants
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

