Can the Drinking Problem Index provide valuable therapeutic information for recovering alcoholic adults?

et al. 2009

Addictive Behaviors

This study modeled the predictive association between depressive symptoms and smoking cessation in a sample of 442 late-middle-aged smokers; assessments occurred at four time-points across a 10-year period. In addition, the study examined the role of baseline drinking problems in moderating the relationship between depressive symptoms and smoking cessation. Findings supported hypotheses. More depressive symptoms prospectively predicted a lower likelihood of smoking cessation. In addition, the presence of baseline drinking problems strengthened the relationship between depressive symptoms and a lower likelihood of smoking cessation. Understanding the mechanisms underlying depression and cigarette smoking among older adults is applicable to secondary prevention and treatment and suggests additional public health benefits from treating depression in older persons.

Section: 1 Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depressive symptoms, drinking problems, and smoking cessation in older smokers

Kenney

Holahan

et al. 2009

Addictive Behaviors

“…Items were dichotomized (yes/no) and, following Brennan and Moos (1990), individuals who endorsed two or more items were considered to have drinking problems. Construct validity is supported by significant associations with prior history of alcohol misuse and treatment for alcohol abuse (Finney et al, 1991; Kopera-Frye, Wiscott, & Sterns, 1999). …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Episodic Heavy Drinking and 20‐Year Total Mortality Among Late‐Life Moderate Drinkers

Schutte

Alcoholism Clin & Exp Res

Holahan

et al. 2014

Background Analyses of moderate drinking have focused overwhelmingly on average consumption, which masks diverse underlying drinking patterns. This study examined the association between episodic heavy drinking and total mortality among moderate-drinking older adults. Methods At baseline, the sample was comprised of 446 adults aged 55 to 65: 74 moderate drinkers who engaged in episodic heavy drinking and 372 regular moderate drinkers. The database at baseline also included a broad set of sociodemographic, behavioral, and health status covariates. Death across a 20-year follow-up period was confirmed primarily by death certificate. Results In multiple logistic regression analyses, after adjusting for all covariates, as well as overall alcohol consumption, moderate drinkers who engaged in episodic heavy drinking had more than two times higher odds of 20-year mortality in comparison to regular moderate drinkers. Conclusions Among older moderate drinkers, those who engage in episodic heavy drinking show significantly increased total mortality risk compared to regular moderate drinkers. Episodic heavy drinking—even when average consumption remains moderate—is a significant public health concern.

“…The DPI has high internal consistency (α = .94), good construct validity (Brennan & Moos, 1990; Finney et al, 1991; Kopera-Frye, Wiscott, & Sterns, 1999), and acceptable sensitivity and specificity for identification of late-middle-aged and older adults who have problems with alcohol (Bamberger, Sonnenstuhl, & Vashdi, 2006). Individuals were identified as having drinking problems if, at baseline assessment they endorsed one or more items from the DPI (0 = no drinking problems, 1 = one or more drinking problems).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coping trajectories in later life: A 20-year predictive study

Holland

Schutte

et al. 2012

Aging & Mental Health

Objectives and Method Information about aging-related change in coping is limited mainly to results of cross-sectional studies of age differences in coping, and no research has focused on predictors of aging-related change in coping behavior. To extend research in this area, we used longitudinal multilevel modeling to describe older adults’ (n=719; baseline M=61 years) 20-year, intra-individual approach and avoidance coping trajectories, and to determine the influence of two sets of predictors (threat appraisal and stressor characteristics; gender and baseline personal and social resources) on level and rate of change in these trajectories. Results Over the 20-year study interval participants declined in use of approach coping and most avoidance coping strategies, but there was significant variation in this trend. In simultaneous predictive models, female gender, more threat appraisal, stressor severity, social resources, and depressive symptoms; and fewer financial resources, were independently associated with higher initial levels of coping responses. Having more social resources, and fewer financial resources, at baseline in late-middle-age predicted faster decline over time in approach coping. Having more baseline depressive symptoms, and fewer baseline financial resources, hastened decline in use of avoidance coping. Independent of other variables in these models, decline over time in approach coping and avoidance coping remained statistically significant. Conclusion Overall decline in coping may be a normative pattern of coping change in later life. However, it also is modifiable by older adults’ stressor appraisals, their stressors, and the personal and social resources they possess at entry to later life, in late-middle age.