Exploring the Non-Linear Relationship between Alcohol Consumption and Depression in an Elderly Population in Gangneung: The Gangneung Health Study.
10.3349/ymj.2015.56.2.418
- Author:
Sang A KIM
1
;
Eunyoung KIM
;
Robert G MORRIS
;
Woong Sub PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Silver Welfare, Dong Seoul College, Seongnam, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Depression;
alcohol consumption;
AUDIT;
BDI;
a J-shaped relationship;
South Korean elderly population in Gangneung city
- MeSH:
Age Factors;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Alcohol Drinking/*epidemiology/*psychology;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Depression/*diagnosis/*epidemiology/psychology;
Depressive Disorder/diagnosis/psychology;
Female;
Geriatric Assessment;
Health Surveys;
Humans;
Male;
Marital Status;
Middle Aged;
Personality Inventory;
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales;
Republic of Korea/epidemiology;
Residence Characteristics;
Smoking/epidemiology
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2015;56(2):418-425
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine a J-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and depression among the elderly in South Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-section data were drawn from a community-based sample of individuals 60 years of age and older (n=1819). Respondents completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Intensification Test (AUDIT) and the Korean Beck Depression Inventory. Using a regression approach, the effect of alcohol consumption as a non-linear effect was assessed in relation to gender, marital status, exercise, smoking, age, education, and physical and mental health. RESULTS: AUDIT total score were found to exert linear and quadratic effects that were significantly associated with higher depression scores among sample respondents. The results lend support to a J-shaped relationship between alcohol use and depression, wherein abstainers and problem drinkers were at a higher risk of depression. CONCLUSION: This study confirms a J-shaped (i.e., curvilinear) relationship between alcohol consumption and depression among elderly South Koreans, similar to that frequently found in studies of Western-based samples. The findings of this study, therefore, imply the applicability of the J-shaped relationship hypothesis for non-Western society samples and within different cultural contexts.
