The purpose of this study is to use social identity theory in order to
evaluate whether alcohol use buffers the effects of stress on depress
ive symptoms. Two hypotheses are developed from this perspective. The
first specifies that alcohol use should reduce the negative impact of
events arising in social roles that are not valued highly by study par
ticipants. The second predicts that alcoholic consumption will exacerb
ate the effects of stressors that emerge in roles that are highly sali
ent. Support for these propositions was obtained with data provided by
a recent nationwide survey of older adults.