Predictors of Alcohol Use Disorders Among Baby Boomers Across the Life Course

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Baby boomers are aging into older adulthood, a demographic shift potentially altering alcohol use patterns.
• Understanding the life course trajectory of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) is crucial for this population.
• Existing research may not fully capture the evolving nature of AUDs in aging baby boomers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine correlates of alcohol use disorders among baby boomers.
• To analyze changes in AUD predictors over time using a life course perspective.
• To identify both risk and protective factors for AUDs in this specific age group.

Main Methods:

• Utilized longitudinal data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).
• Analyzed data from two time points: 1998 (N = 6,213) and 2010 (N = 5,880).
• Employed logistic regression analyses to identify predictors of AUDs.

Main Results:

• Predictors of alcohol use disorders evolve as baby boomers age.
• Concurrent unprescribed pain reliever use emerged as a significant risk factor (p < .01).
• Increased income (p < .01) and social supports (p = .01) demonstrated protective effects.

Conclusions:

• Alcohol use disorder risk and protective factors are dynamic in aging baby boomers.
• Clinical interventions should consider concurrent substance use and socioeconomic factors.
• Future research should further explore the life course influences on AUDs in older adulthood.