Understanding older problem drinkers: The role of drinking to cope

Abstract

Introduction and aims Despite a common perception that older adults drink less than younger adults, drinking frequency increases with age. The aim of this study was to examine the types of coping motives associated with problem drinkers in addition to the types of specific drinking problems most commonly endorsed by older drinkers. The study also sought to investigate the role of individual drinking to cope motives in problem drinking. Method Participants were 288 community dwelling older adults aged who consumed alcohol, and were drawn from a larger study of health and aging in rural areas of Australia. Participants completed a postal questionnaire comprising the Drinking Problems Index, Dr..