DRINKING, PROBLEM DRINKING AND LIFE STRESSORS IN THE ELDERLY GENERAL-POPULATION

Objective: Research shows that although heavy drinking in the United S tates is less prevalent among older persons, some maintain or increase heavy drinking. Late-onset heavy drinking is believed to be related t o stressors of aging such as retirement or bereavement, particularly w hen coping resources or social supports are inadequate. This study inv estigated that relationship. Method: In 1990-91, a random-digit-dial t elephone survey was conducted with 2,325 Erie County, New York, reside nts aged 60 or older. Heavy drinkers were oversampled. Questions inclu ded demographics, drinking quantity-frequency, alcohol dependence/prob lems, stressful life events, chronic stresses, coping resources and so cial supports. Analyses were conducted to examine the relationship bet ween drinking and stress. Results: There was no bivariate correlation between average alcohol consumption and acute or chronic stress. Logis tic regressions with interaction terms show that stress has no relatio nship to heavy drinking (average alcohol consumption of 2+ drinks/day) regardless of coping style or social supports. Logistic regressions p redicting late-onset heavy drinking also produced negative results. Ch ronic stress was, however, positively related to alcohol dependence an d problems. Conclusions: Treatment and prevention programs for the eld erly should not be based on the assumption that life stresses are a di rect cause of drinking, although they may exacerbate consequences of d rinking.