title: Relationship between quantity and frequency of alcohol use and indices of suicidal behavior in an elderly Australian sample.
abstract: Relatively little research has been conducted on the relationship between alcohol misuse and suicidal behavior among the elderly. The current study's aim was to examine whether quantity and frequency of alcohol use and the interaction between these variables are related to current suicidal ideation, previous suicidal ideation/intent, and past suicide attempts in a community sample of 1,010 Australian adults over age 60. Results partially supported our hypotheses. The interaction between quantity and frequency of alcohol use was significant, suggesting that those who use alcohol less frequently but in greater quantities (i.e., binge drinking) are more likely to have a history of suicide attempts.
authors.affiliation: Western Australian Center for Health and Ageing, School of Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia in Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Jon J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Pfaff
authors.forename: Osvaldo P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Tracy K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Witte
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Waesche
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Joiner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention