Alcohol Misuse Among Older Adult Public Housing Residents |
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| Authors: | Sherry M. Cummings R. Lyle Cooper Catherine Johnson |
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| Affiliation: | 1. College of Social Work , University of Tennessee–Knoxville , Nashville , Tennessee , USA scumming@utk.edu;3. College of Social Work , University of Tennessee–Knoxville , Nashville , Tennessee , USA |
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| Abstract: | Low-income older adults living in public housing are at heightened risk for substance misuse. This study identified the prevalence of alcohol misuse among older public housing residents (n?=?187) and explored predictors of problem drinking. Including weekly drinking levels and binge drinking, 23% of the sample engaged in problem drinking behaviors. Logistic regression analysis revealed that race, gender, employment status, years smoking, and illegal drug use were significant predictors of problem drinking. No residents were receiving substance abuse treatment. As the number of older adults increase, training social workers to assess and treat alcohol misuse in older adults is critical. |
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| Keywords: | mental health and mental illness alcohol misuse public housing |
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