Social Learning Theory and Alcohol Behavior Among the Elderly

Abstract

Research directly testing Akers's social learning theory has been thus far confined to teenage drug, drinking, and smoking behavior. This study extends the application of social learning theory to older adults' alcohol behavior. Data were gathered through face‐to‐face interviews of 1,410 people sixty years of age or over living in New Jersey and Florida in either retirement (age homogeneous) or age‐integrated communities. A social learning model of differential association, differential reinforcement, and definitions is supported by findings on elderly drinking behavior. As is true for younger age groups, drinking among the elderly is related to the norms and behavior of one's primary groups, one's own attitudes toward (definitions of) alcohol, and the balance of reinforcement for drinking.

Problem solving as reinforcement in adolescent drug use: Implications for theory and policy

“…Of the measures of reinforcement, the variable measuring overall balance was the most important. Akers et al (1989) concluded that social reinforcers, such as the reactions of family and friends, were important for youths, however for the elderly it was costs, such as physical effects, that were more important in reinforcing a behavior.…”

“…An additional study by Akers, La Greca, Cochran, and Sellers (1989) on alcohol use among the elderly further expanded the understanding of the role of differential reinforcement. In this study, differential reinforcement was measured with four subsets of factors -balance of reinforcement (which was a single item asking about the effect on social relationships and employment); reaction of spouse, family, and friends; balance of perceived positive and negative effects (which focused on physical effects); and overall balance of perceived rewards and costs of drinking.…”

Spouses of Older Adults With Late-Life Drinking Problems: Health, Family, and Social Functioning

“…Furthermore, highlighting developmental continuity in concomitants of heavy drinking (Akers et al, 1989;Bullers et al, 2001;Caudill and Kong, 2001;Moos et al, 2004), friends' approval of drinking was consistently associated with spouses' heavier drinking and drinking problems.…”

“…In a 10-year followup of middle-age adults, spouses of remitted problem drinkers achieved normal functioning and life contexts, whereas spouses of relapsed problem drinkers continued to experience some defi cits (Moos et al, 1990). With respect to predictors of spouse functioning, friends' and social network members' approval of, and engagement in, drinking is associated with more alcohol consumption among young and middle-age adults (Bullers et al, 2001;Caudill and Kong, 2001;Homish and Leonard, 2008;Leonard et al, 2000), as well as among older adults (Akers et al, 1989;Moos et al, 2004).…”

Cognitive Learning Theory

“…For example, research indicates that those managers who are aware of their roles and responsibilities in promoting a positive work environment enhance learning, competence, and satisfaction; dissatisfaction, of course, has a detrimental effect and is a significant cause of staff turnover (Kane-Urrabazo, 2006). Nurses have applied social learning principles successfully when working with teenage mothers (Stiles, 2005) and in addressing alcoholism among older adults (Akers, 1989). A major difficulty is that this theory is complex and not easily operationalized, measured, and assessed.…”