Hazardous alcohol consumption among older adults: A comprehensive and multi-national analysis of predictive factors in 13,351 individuals

Abstract

Background Older adults exhibit heightened vulnerability for alcohol-related health impairments. Increases in the proportion of older adults within the European Union’s total population and prevalence rates of alcohol use disorders in this age group are being observed. This large scale international study was conducted to identify those older adults with an increased risk to engage in hazardous drinking behaviour. Methods Socio-demographic, socio-economic, personality characteristics (Big Five Inventory, BFI-10), and alcohol consumption patterns of 13,351 individuals from 12 different European countries, collected by the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe, were analyzed using regression models. Results Age, nationality, years of education, as well as personality traits, were significantly associated with alcohol intake. For males, extraversion predicted increased alcohol intake (RR = 1.11, CI = 1.07–1.16), whereas conscientiousness (RR = 0.93, CI = 0.89–0.97), and agreeableness (RR = 0.94, CI = 0.90–0.99), were associated with a reduction. For females, openness to new experiences (RR = 1.11, CI = 1.04–1.18) predicted increased alcohol intake. Concerning excessive drinking, personality traits, nationality, and age-predicted consumption patterns for both sexes: Extraversion was identified as a risk factor for excessive drinking (OR = 1.15; CI = 1.09–1.21), whereas conscientiousness was identified as a protective factor (OR = 0.87; CI = 0.823–0.93). Conclusion Hazardous alcohol consumption in the elderly was associated with specific personality characteristics. Preventative measures, crucial in reducing deleterious health consequences, should focus on translating the knowledge of the association of certain personality traits and alcohol consumption into improved prevention and treatment.

Alcohol Consumption Patterns: A Systematic Review of Demographic and Sociocultural Influencing Factors

“…For instance, a study sampling from Australia, England, Scotland, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, Thailand, South Africa, Mongolia, and Vietnam discovered that the drinking frequency in general increases with the age increment; however, the consumption quantity is not likely to be large, and this association was more consistent among higher-income countries [48]. In another study sampling citizens aged more than 50 years from 12 different European countries, both males and females showed a substantial relationship between age and alcohol consumption, with consumption dropping as they got older [47].…”

The Complex Interplay Between Physical Activity and Recovery Styles in Patients With Severe Mental Disorders in a Real-World Multicentric Study

“…In particular, patients with severe mental disorders have very poor physical health, suffering from coronary heart diseases, diabetes, respiratory, renal, and infectious diseases (13)(14)(15)(16)(17). The higher presence of physical illnesses compared to the general population is due to several causes (18,19), including the adoption of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, such as heavy smoking (20)(21)(22)(23), heavy alcohol drinking (24)(25)(26), use of illicit drugs (27,28), unbalanced diet and low levels of physical activity (29).…”