Trajectories of alcohol consumption among the elderly widowed population: A semi-parametric, group-based modeling approach

TitleTrajectories of alcohol consumption among the elderly widowed population: A semi-parametric, group-based modeling approach
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsLiew, H-P
JournalAdvances in Life Course Research
Volume16
Pagination124-131
KeywordsDemographics, Health Conditions and Status, Healthcare, Net Worth and Assets
Abstract

Even though research on the use, misuse, and abuse of alcohol among the elderly has burgeoned in recent decades (see reviews by Johnson, 2000 , Kirchner et al., 2007 and Patterson and Jeste, 1999 ), only a few empirical studies have explored the post-bereavement alcohol consumption trajectories among the elderly widowed population. To fill this research gap, this study aims to examine the temporal processes underlying the relationship between widowhood and subsequent drinking behaviors among the elderly widowed population and to examine the potential predictors of these trajectories. The empirical work of this study is based on longitudinal data from the 1992 to 2008 Health and Retirement Study (HRS). A semi-parametric mixture model (SPMM) is used to estimate the distinctive trajectories of post-bereavement alcohol consumption. Results reveal that the type of drinking trajectory that characterize the post-bereavement drinking behavior of an individual is largely dependent upon the characteristics of the individuals (e.g. gender), the health conditions and health behavior of deceased spouse, pre-bereavement alcohol consumption, and depression. Another important finding is that bereaved men seem to have greater difficulty overcoming the transitional burden associated with widowhood. Copyright Elsevier Ltd.

Notes

Journal Article

DOI10.1016/j.alcr.2011.08.001
Endnote Keywords

Drinking Behavior/Health Behavior/Alcohol Abuse/Widowhood/Elderly/gender/Elder Abuse/Bereavement

Endnote ID

69612

Citation Key7670