OLDER ADULT CONTEXTUAL DRINKING BEHAVIORS. (11th November 2018) - Zanjani, F
Abstract: There is very limited understanding about the context of older adult alcohol consumption. To better understand older adult drinking behaviors, a random sample of 430 Maryland residents ages 65+ years (54% male; 85% non-Hispanic white; aged 65–97 year (mean=72.2, sd=6.2), 64% college educated, 74% retired) took an online survey that assessed contextual and risk profiles for alcohol use. Invitations for survey participation were mailed in 2017–2018 through the Maryland DMV. Data indicated that approximately 75% of participants were current drinkers, 35% drinking weekly, and 15% binge drinking. Context of alcohol consumption was compared among older adults engaging in weekly alcohol use (48% of drinkers) and those engaging in less than weekly alcohol use (52% of drinkers). Weekly drinkers were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to report consuming alcohol at parties, alone, at home, with friends, to be social, at family gatherings, at the end of the day, to relax/unwind, when entertaining guests, at a restaurant, at a bar/club, after meals, to make leisure activities more fun, after work, when no other obligations are present, on weekends, and on vacation. There was no significant difference between groups for drinking to control pain, get along better with others, feel less lonely, have more confidence, be part of a crowd, be less bored, be more comfortable with others, deal with loss, cope with body changes, and forget about problems. Findings indicate self-medication as a non-differentiated context for drinking, while social and leisure contexts are more frequently endorsed among higher frequency drinkers.