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. 2025 Jan 4;59(1):kaaf041.
doi: 10.1093/abm/kaaf041.

Covariation of daily stressors and alcohol use among adults aged 50+ years: differences across stressor characteristics and individual factors

Sara E Miller  1 , Jennifer L Maggs  2 , David M Almeida  2
Affiliations

Covariation of daily stressors and alcohol use among adults aged 50+ years: differences across stressor characteristics and individual factors

Sara E Miller et al. Ann Behav Med. .

Abstract

Background: Several theoretical frameworks suggest connections between stress and alcohol use. However, limited existing literature has focused on older adults, and associations may vary across stressor and individual characteristics.

Purpose: The current study extends the stress-drinking literature by assessing the same-day covariation of daily stressors and alcohol use among a national sample of adults aged 50+ years.

Methods: Participants (N = 1,035; Mage=61.62 years; range = 50-83) were non-abstaining adults who participated in an 8-day daily diary project in the National Study of Daily Experiences.

Results: Multilevel logistic regression analyses revealed no main effects of stressor exposure (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 0.93, 1.24), stressor quantity (OR = 1.09; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.20), or stressor severity (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.14) on likelihood of same-day alcohol consumption. There were differences by stressor domain. Days with non-work stressors were associated with a 13% greater likelihood of alcohol use compared to days without non-work stressors (OR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.004, 1.27). In contrast, likelihood of alcohol consumption did not differ between days with work stressors compared to days without work stressors (OR = 0.90; 95% CI = 0.71, 1.13). Several between-person factors were found to moderate associations between daily stressors and alcohol use. Specifically, older age, lower educational attainment, and reporting alcohol-related problems strengthened associations between some daily stressor characteristics and likelihood of same-day alcohol use.

Conclusions: Study findings suggest individual differences in middle-aged and older adults' drinking on days with daily stressors. Results may inform efforts to provide personalized alcohol use education and intervention to adults aged 50+ years.

Keywords: alcohol; daily assessment; daily stressors; individual differences; older adults.

Plain language summary

Alcohol use among older adults can lead to health consequences during intoxication, including injuries and memory impairment, and it can contribute to various chronic health conditions. Despite these risks, few studies have explored the relationship between daily stressors (ie, everyday life challenges) and alcohol use among adults in midlife and older adulthood. The current study examines how specific characteristics of daily stressors relate to likelihood of alcohol use among a sample of 1035 adults aged 50+ years. Participants completed 8 days of daily telephone interviews. Overall, study findings did not identify associations between daily stressor exposure, quantity, or severity and same-day alcohol use. However, participants were more likely to drink on days they experienced non-work stressors. Many of the associations between the daily stressor characteristics and alcohol use were moderated by individual characteristics, including age, education, and experiences of alcohol-related problems. These findings could help guide personalized alcohol use education and intervention for middle-aged and older adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

None to declare.

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