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Drinking, problem drinking and life stressors in the elderly general population
1Research Institute on Addictions, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Life stressors do not directly cause heavy drinking in older adults, but chronic stress is linked to alcohol dependence. Prevention programs should focus on factors beyond stress.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Heavy drinking is less common in older adults but can persist or increase.
- Late-onset heavy drinking is hypothesized to stem from aging stressors like retirement or bereavement, especially with poor coping mechanisms or social support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between aging stressors and heavy drinking in older adults.
- To examine if coping resources and social support moderate the impact of stress on heavy drinking.
Main Methods:
- A 1990-91 telephone survey of 2,325 older adults (60+) in Erie County, New York.
- Oversampling of heavy drinkers.
- Data collected on demographics, drinking patterns, alcohol dependence, stressful life events, chronic stresses, coping resources, and social supports.
Main Results:
- No significant correlation was found between average alcohol consumption and acute or chronic stress.
- Stress did not predict heavy drinking (≥2 drinks/day) irrespective of coping style or social support.
- Chronic stress was positively associated with alcohol dependence and problems, but not directly with heavy drinking levels.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest that life stressors are not a direct cause of heavy drinking in the elderly.
- Interventions for older adults should not assume a direct causal link between stress and drinking.
- Stress may, however, worsen the consequences of existing drinking behaviors.