Social networks and alcohol use among older adults: a comparison with middle-aged adults

Abstract

Objectives This study compared the association between social networks and alcohol consumption among middle-aged (MA) and older adults (OA) to better understand the nature of the relationship between those two factors among OA and MA. Method We examined Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Current drinkers aged over 50 were subdivided into two age groups: MA (50–64, n = 5214) and OA (65 and older, n = 3070). Each age group was stratified into drinking levels (low-risk vs. at-risk) based on alcohol consumption. The size and diversity of social networks were measured. Logistic regression models were used to examine age differences in the association between the social networks (size and diversity) and the probability of at-risk drinking among two age groups. Results A significant association between the social networks diversity and lower odds of at-risk drinking was found among MA and OA. However, the relationship between the diversity of social networks and the likelihood of at-risk drinking was weaker for OA than for MA. The association between social networks size and at-risk drinking was not significant among MA and OA. Conclusion The current study suggests that the association between social networks diversity and alcohol use among OA differs from the association among MA, and few social networks were associated with alcohol use among OA. In the future, research should consider an in-depth exploration of the nature of social networks and alcohol consumption by using longitudinal designs and advanced methods of exploring drinking networks.

Substance Use Disorders and COVID-19: Multi-Faceted Problems Which Require Multi-Pronged Solutions

“…Shrinking social networks and deaths from COVID-19 leaves many without coping resources (65). Social isolation, loneliness, death of loved ones, complicated grief, and prolonged bereavement are associated with problematic substance use and relapse both in younger and older adults, and can adversely affect mental health (17,(66)(67)(68)(69)(70)(71)(72)(73)(74)(75).…”

A Multidimensional Latent Class Analysis of Harmful Alcohol Use Among Older Adults: Subtypes Within the Swedish Addiction Severity Index Registry

“…Older and younger adults may vary in their stressors and other biopsychosocial factors associated with alcohol use disorders. Retirement, reduced social networks, loss of loved ones and social isolation may contribute to the onset and maintenance of alcohol and drug use in older adults ( 1 43 24 23 Akerlind and Hornquist, 1992; Perreira and Sloan, 2001; Kuerbis and Sacco, 2012; Kim et al, 2018; Kuerbis et al, 2018 ). Older adults may also have longer exposure to substances (early onset) and face more severe health outcomes ( Moos et al, 2009 ) leading to early retirement and early needs for elderly care services.…”

Botanical Volatiles Selection in Mediating Electrophysiological Responses and Reproductive Behaviors for the Fall Webworm Moth Hyphantria cunea

“…Plant volatiles serve as essential cues to insects searching for resources, mates, and oviposition sites (Juma et al, 2016;Hanks et al, 2018;Houjun et al, 2018;Xu and Turlings, 2018). The reception of host-plant volatiles in Lepidoptera is accomplished through a highly sensitive chemosensory system on the antenna, FIGURE 3 | Dosage responses of H. cunea adults EAG to selected host volatile components.…”

“…For example, plant volatiles are likely to serve as attractants to insects over a larger spatial range and pheromones are more likely to help guide the insects over a relatively short distance to mate in parasitoids (Xu and Turlings, 2018). Host-derived volatiles play an important role as oviposition stimulant for Lepidopterans, such as tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta, Ostrinia latipennis, C. pomonella, and the stem borer Busseola fusca (Mechaber et al, 2002;Li and Ishikawa, 2006;Lombarkia and Derridj, 2008;Juma et al, 2016). However, our results showed that female oviposition rates and fecundity of H. cunea did not show sensitivity toward the volatiles from host plants.…”

“…The push-pull strategies with botanical volatiles have also been widely utilized in pest control, for instance, Delia radicum in cabbage, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama in citrus, and Aphididae species in wheatpea strip (Kergunteuil et al, 2015;Yan et al, 2015;. Furthermore, several studies have shown that the chemical composition of host plant plays an integral part in mating and oviposition behaviors in various insects, including Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, and Coleoptera (Shelly, 2001;Paschen et al, 2012;Juma et al, 2016).…”