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Social and Psychologic Correlates of Problem Drinking in Old Age
Author(s) -
MEYERS ALLAN R.,
HINGSON RALPH,
MUCATEL MARC,
GOLDMAN ELI
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1982.tb03383.x
Subject(s) - medicine , demography , population , gerontology , injury prevention , poison control , environmental health , sociology
A study of the drinking behavior of 928 noninstitutional residents of Boston, aged 60 or older, showed that 53 per cent were abstainers; 26 per cent had less than one drink per day; 16 per cent, one to two drinks; and 6 per cent, two or more drinks. Nine subjects (1 per cent) were self‐reported problem drinkers, and another 31 (3 per cent) reported that drinking had diminished the quality of their lives. Problem drinkers and those with alcohol‐related problems were likely to be young‐old native‐born men. They were less likely to be satisfied with their relationships with family members, spouses, and close friends. All problem drinkers had long‐term drinking problems. Most had sought treatment, but only one was being treated at the time of the study. The data suggest that current theories do not adequately explain late‐life problem drinking and that current initiatives do not adequately address the needs of the elderly population at large.