title: The relation between frequency of binge drinking and psychological distress among older adult drinkers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study examined the relation between past year frequency of binge drinking and psychological distress among older adult drinkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Adults aged 60 and older who had consumed alcohol in the past year (n=13,265) were analyzed. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 6 (K6) scale. Multiple regression analyses were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant main effect of frequency of binge drinking was found in regression analyses, indicating that an increased frequency of binge drinking was significantly associated with increased psychological distress (B=.10, p<.001). Results from additional analyses showed that binge drinking was related to increased psychological distress when individuals were binge drinking more than once in the past year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that binge drinking frequently may be related to increased experiences of psychological distress among older drinkers. Research and clinical implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, USA.
authors.forename: Ami N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: Giyeon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: alcohol consumption; binge drinking; older adults; psychological distress