Introduction:
With limited research for mental health and alcohol
use among veterans in the general population and none for elderly male veterans
only, the purpose is to assess whether mental health differs by alcohol use in
elderly male veterans in the general population.
Method:
This
cross-sectional analysis uses 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
data for male veterans aged 65 and older in general population samples from
Florida (
n
= 1,700), Maryland (
n
= 1,060), New
York (
n
= 552), and Washington (
n
= 1,031).
Multiple logistic regression by state assessed the relationship between mental
health and alcohol use, after controlling for health-related, demographic, and
socioeconomic factors.
Results:
Across states, most participants
reported good mental health (80%-84%) and more than half reported drinking
(53%-63%). Adjusted results indicated that mental health did not differ by
alcohol use in any state; however, it was related to physical health and
activity limitations across states.
Conclusion:
Overall, alcohol
use was not related to mental health in elderly male veterans in the general
population; however, physical health status and activity limitations were.
Practitioners should always screen for alcohol use and should automatically
screen for mental health, physical health, and activity limitations when
symptoms present for any and assess concurrent treatment and management
strategies.