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Late onset alcoholism in a midwestern setting: A matter of complexity
Abstract
Between 500,000 and 5,500,000 older adults are suspected of having a drinking problem. Nearly one-third may have begun their destructive drinking patterns in later life. The literature lacks uniformity in conceptualizing late onset alcoholism. Conflicting reports exist concerning the development of late onset alcoholism. A prevailing view is that it is the result of stresses associated with aging, such as retirement, but there are few data to verify this hypothesis. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore whether a population of late onset male alcoholics exists, to examine selected variables and to describe differences between early and late onset alcoholics. A model of alcoholism which includes a complex interaction of factors is presented. Sixty men completed the Veterans Alcoholism Screening Test, the Purpose in Life Test, the Stokes/Gordon Stress Scale and a questionnaire designed to identify social psychological structures and to provide demographic information. Independent variables included purpose in life, stress, locus of control and social psychological structures. The sample was obtained from consecutive admissions to area alcoholism treatment programs during 1989-1990. The guiding research questions included the following: (1) Is there a population of late onset male alcoholics? If yes, (A) What are the demographic differences between early and late onset alcoholics? (B) What differences exist in long term drinking patterns between early and late onset alcoholics? (C) How do early and late onset alcoholics differ in levels of stress, purpose in life, locus of control, and social psychological structures? (D) What interactions exist among variables? If no late onset group is found, (2) Is there a quasi-late onset male alcoholic population? Results showed 11% of the sample were late onset, while one-third were quasi-late onset alcoholics. Marital status was the only social psychological structure related to onset. Ad hoc analysis compared scores from this study to previously published reports for other groups on purpose in life and stress.
Subject Area
Gerontology|Welfare
Recommended Citation
Adams, Scot Leo, "Late onset alcoholism in a midwestern setting: A matter of complexity" (1990). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9108205.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9108205