GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS AND LIFE CONTEXTS OF LATE-MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER PROBLEM DRINKERS

This study focuses on gender differences in the individual characteris tics and life contexts of late-life problem drinkers. Late-middle-aged women with drinking problems (n = 183) consumed less alcohol, had few er drinking problems, and reported more recent onset of drinking probl ems than did their male counterparts (n = 476). They also used more ps ychoactive medications, were more depressed, and were less likely to s eek alcohol treatment. Consistent with a gender role perspective on al cohol abuse, problem-drinking women had more family-related and fewer financial stressors than did problem-drinking men. Contrary to expecta tion, however, problem-drinking women reported more support from child ren, extended family members, and friends than did problem-drinking me n. Moreover, women who continued to have drinking problems over a 1-ye ar interval reported some unexpected short-term benefits at follow-up, including reduced spouse stressors. Women who had remitted at follow- up experienced less spouse support, and more family-related stressors and depression than did remitted men. They also lost support from exte nded family members over the 1-year interval. The results suggest a ne ed for screening and treatment efforts tailored more closely to the li fe circumstances of women with late-life drinking problems.