The association between Act-Belong-Commit indicators and problem drinking among older Irish adults: Findings from a prospective analysis of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)

Abstract

The Act-Belong-Commit campaign is the world's first comprehensive, population-wide, community-based program to promote mental health. However, its potential for preventing substance use disorders is unknown. Further, a literature gap is evident concerning behavioral modification strategies to prevent such disorders. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the association between indicators of the Act-Belong-Commit behavioral domains and the development of problem drinking. Data from two waves of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) were analyzed. The sample consisted of 3950 adults aged ≥50years. A validated scale for problem drinking was used. The number of social/recreational activities engaged in was used as an indicator of Act, social network integration as an indicator of Belong, and frequency of participation in these social/recreational activities as an indicator of Commit. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess associations between baseline indicators of Act-Belong-Commit and the development of problem drinking at two-year follow-up. Each increase in the number of social/recreational activities (Act) inversely predicted the onset of problem drinking. Similarly, being well integrated into social networks (Belong) was negatively associated with the development of problem drinking. Finally, frequency of participation in social/recreational activities (Commit) also inversely predicted the onset of problem drinking. These associations were apparent regardless of the presence of baseline common mental disorders. Act-Belong-Commit indicators are shown to be associated with a reduced risk for problem drinking. This lends further support to the Act-Belong-Commit domains and has wide-ranging implications for preventing substance use disorders in the aging community.

Act-Belong-Commit Indicators Promote Mental Health and Wellbeing among Irish Older Adults

“…Furthermore, the framework was designed not just for health professionals but for any organization to effectively offer mentally healthy activities. The results of this study, along with some of our other papers 34,97 and Australian evaluations, 25 confirm that this simple framework, focusing on increasing or maintaining people's Act, Belong and Commit behaviors, provides evidence-informed, practical guidelines for policy and practice. Perhaps one of the most important lessons for policymakers is that the behaviors that promote mental health and wellbeing are everyday activities that most people can do and may already be participating in, and that these behaviors are delivered by existing organizations across a variety of areas.…”

“…The results of this study, along with other published works, 34,97 show that engaging in Act, Belong and Commit behaviors is associated with both enhanced mental health and wellbeing, as well as reduced risk for developing mental, neurological, and substance use disorders. Future research could look at factors influencing the ability to do so (eg, age, physical health, self-efficacy, access and proximity to activities, financial capacity, family composition, working hours etc.…”

Implementing Mental Health Promotion Initiatives—Process Evaluation of the ABCs of Mental Health in Denmark

“…The ABCs partnership has been granted funding for three project phases: 2014-2016, 2016-2018 and 2018-2021. Further information on the background and organisation of the ABCs can be found elsewhere [9,10,[18][19][20]22,23].…”

“…The three domains are derived from primary research on lay peoples understandings of mental health promoting behaviour and reviewing the scientific literature [ 10 ]. Recent longitudinal population-based studies have demonstrated the mental health promoting effects of the factors pertaining to these domains have [ 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

Physical Activity and the Development of Substance Use Disorders: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

“…For example, Santini et al (2017) determined that for adults ≥50 years old, spending more time in a variety of activities (including physical activity and exercise) and having greater levels of social integration at baseline were associated with a reduced risk of problematic drinking two years later. [59] Continued social integration in older adulthood also appears to be a part of good general health. Adults with higher levels of loneliness are more likely to be current smokers and are less likely to be physically active than adults who are not lonely.…”