Economic stressors and alcohol-related outcomes: exploring age cohort differences.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined processes linking age cohort, economic stressors, coping strategies and two drinking-related outcomes (i.e., past-month drinking and problematic drinking).


METHODS
Structural equation models were conducted utilizing data from a national survey.


RESULTS
Findings revealed the associations between economic stressors and both past-month drinking and problematic drinking were significantly greater for members of the millennial cohort compared to baby boomers. These effects are partly explained by the lesser tendency of members of the millennial cohort to use collective, politically-focused coping strategies.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings clarify the circumstances in which age matters most for the associations among economy-related stressors, coping strategies and drinking-related outcomes. They highlight how difficult economic circumstances influence the availability of coping strategies and, in turn, alcohol consumption - and differently for younger and older age cohorts.
University of Kentucky, Department of Sociology, United States. Electronic address: robyn.brown@uky.edu.
Robyn Lewis
RL
Brown
University of Illinois-Chicago, Department of Psychiatry, United States; University of Illinois-Chicago, Department of Epidemiology, United States.
Judith A
JA
Richman
University of Illinois-Chicago, Department of Psychiatry, United States.
Kathleen M
KM
Rospenda
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology