Alcohol as a Response to Stress in Older Adults: A Counseling Perspective

Hunter, I. Roy; Gillen, Mark C.

doi:10.1002/j.2161-0029.2006.tb00022.x

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 80 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Much research has focused on approaches to drinking that emphasize alcohol use as a form of tension reduction among older adults, including the stress and coping and self-medication models (Brennan, Schutte, & Moos,1999; Bryant & Kim, 2013; Hunter & Gillen, 2006; Sacco, Bucholz, & Harrington, 2014). The underlying premise of this research is that negative affectivity in the form of stress or stressful events precipitates drinking (Holahan, Moos, Holahan, Cronkite, & Randall, 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drinking behavior among older adults at a continuing care retirement community: affective and motivational influences

Sacco

Burruss

Smith

et al. 2014

Aging & Mental Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives The purpose of this pilot study was to describe patterns of alcohol consumption among continuing care retirement community(CCRC) residents and to explore the role of drinking motives and affective states on drinking context and consumption. Method We utilized a phone-based daily diary approach to survey older adults about their daily alcohol consumption, context of drinking (e.g. drinking alone), positive and negative affect, and their motives for drinking. Data were analyzed descriptively, and regression models were developed to examine associations between sociodemographic factors, affect, drinking context and motives, and alcohol consumption. Results CCRC residents drank most frequently at home and were alone almost half of drinking days on average, although the context of drinking varied considerably by participant. Problem alcohol use was rare, but hazardous use due to specific comorbidities, symptoms and medications, and the amount of alcohol consumption was common. Respondents endorsed higher social motives for drinking and lower coping motives. Social motives were associated with decreased likelihood of drinking alone, but negative affect was associated with decreased likelihood of drinking outside one’s home. Coping and social motives were associated with greater consumption, and higher positive affect was associated with lower consumption. Conclusion Among CCRC residents, alcohol use may be socially motivated rather than motivated by coping with negative affect. Future research should examine other motives for drinking in older adulthood. Evaluation of older adults living in CCRCs should include attention to health factors beyond problem use as other forms of hazardous use may be common in CCRCs.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drinking behavior among older adults at a continuing care retirement community: affective and motivational influences

Sacco

Burruss

Smith

et al. 2014

Aging & Mental Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Alcohol use among older adults is often conceptualized as a means of coping with painful life experiences such as losses related to aging and other forms of psychological distress (Blazer & Wu, 2009; Finney & Moos, 1984; Folkman, Bernstein, & Lazarus, 1987; Hunter & Gillen, 2006). The underlying thinking is that alcohol use occurs as a reaction to painful experiences and emotions.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility and Utility of Experience Sampling to Assess Alcohol Consumption Among Older Adults

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the literature on alcohol use and aging, drinking has often been conceptualized as a means of coping with negative feelings, such as stress, yet much of the literature on older adults and drinking has utilized cross-sectional or other data ill-suited for exploring dynamic processes. Experience sampling methods have the ability to measure and analyze dynamic processes in real time, such as relations between alcohol use and mood states. Nonetheless, these approaches are intensive and may burden respondents. Therefore, this study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and validity of a modified daily diary to measure alcohol use and explored alternate methods of collecting diary data. Findings suggest that a modified diary was acceptable and not burdensome. Respondents were reluctant to consider technology (e.g., cellphone)-based means of data collection. Measures of alcohol use showed little within-person variation suggesting that for those who drink at all, drinking is a daily habit.

show abstract

“…Much of the literature on older drinkers and estimating risk associated with alcohol use focuses on the stresses of aging and the problem of social isolation as people age. The idea that older adults can develop alcohol-related problems in late life as a result of the stresses of retirement is prominent in literature focused on drinking among older adults (Hunter & Gillen, 2006; Lemke, Brennan, Schutte, & Moos, 2007; Schutte, Brennan, & Moos, 1998). Additionally, mutable factors such as stress are often a target of intervention.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender Differences in Stressful Life Events, Social Support, Perceived Stress, and Alcohol Use Among Older Adults: Results From a National Survey

Sacco

Bucholz

Harrington

2013

Substance Use & Misuse

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Stressful life events, perceived stress, and social support relationships with consumption, at-risk drinking, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) were studied in a population-based sample of current drinkers age 60+ in the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (Wave 2; 2004–2005; n = 4,360). Stressful life events were associated with AUD among men and women, and crime victimization among men only. However, greater perceived stress was associated with lower consumption among women and greater odds of AUD in men, highlighting differences in the relationship between stress and alcohol use by gender that may be the result of the stress alcohol link.

show abstract

Alcohol as a Response to Stress in Older Adults: A Counseling Perspective

Abstract: The authors explore the relationship between stress and alcohol use in older adults. The importance for the counselor to determine the client‐specific role of alcohol use, whether as a stress buffer or as a coping mechanism, is discussed.

Cited by 9 publications

References 80 publications

Drinking behavior among older adults at a continuing care retirement community: affective and motivational influences

Drinking behavior among older adults at a continuing care retirement community: affective and motivational influences

Feasibility and Utility of Experience Sampling to Assess Alcohol Consumption Among Older Adults

Gender Differences in Stressful Life Events, Social Support, Perceived Stress, and Alcohol Use Among Older Adults: Results From a National Survey

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About