title: Exploring the non-linear relationship between alcohol consumption and depression in an elderly population in Gangneung: the Gangneung Health Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine a J-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and depression among the elderly in South Korea.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors: Department of Silver Welfare, Dong Seoul College, Seongnam, Korea.
authors: Sang-A
authors: SA
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Police Administration & Crime Investigation, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung, Korea.
authors: Eunyoung
authors: E
authors: Kim
authors: School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, TX, USA.
authors: Robert G
authors: RG
authors: Morris
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine & Public Health, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung, Korea. wspark@cku.ac.kr.
authors: Woong-Sub
authors: WS
authors: Park
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: AUDIT; BDI; Depression; South Korean elderly population in Gangneung city; a J-shaped relationship; alcohol consumption