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KMID : 0915820080090020027
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Journal of Korean Alcohol Science
2008 Volume.9 No. 2 p.27 ~ p.39
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The Relationship between Alcohol Consumption and Physical/Mental Health among the Elderly with Low Socioeconomic Status
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Abstract
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The researchers investigated the relationship between alcohol consumption of the elderly with low socioeconomic status and their physical/mental health. The participants were 431 old people (132 males and 299 females) with low socioeconomic status and supported from government, whose ages ranged from 65 to 95 (M=74.77, SD=6.85). To survey drinking behaviors, some modified questions from Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and CAGE questions. Psychological tests used in this research included the following: Barthel Index, Geriatric Depression Scale, Korean Dementia Screening Questionnaire-P, and questionnaires from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Results indicated that only gender among demographic profiles has main effect on drinking behaviors of the subjects, while reported drinking rate is low. Alcohol consumption of the subjects is positively related to diastolic blood pressure and Body Mass Index, and negatively related to perceived health. Level of drinking is also positively related to problematic behaviors, depression, and symptoms of dementia. There were 2-way interactions in cognitive disorder and problematic behaviors by alcohol consumption and gender of the elderly with low socioeconomic status. Male drinkers are more vulnerable to alcohol related cognitive disorder and problematic behaviors then female drinkers in senescence. Despite of some limitation of this study, it might provide useful information to further studies and professionals in health promotion and mental health practitioners.
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KEYWORD
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the elderly, low socioeconomic status, alcohol consumption, physical health, mental health
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