Prevalence of substance abuse and socio-economic differences in substance abuse in an Australian community-dwelling elderly sample

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Li, Wendy;Caltabiano, Nerina
Abstract

A sample of 324 55–90-year-old Australian adults participated in a survey on elderly substance abuse using the Clinical Assessment Scales for the Elderly. Overall, males had a higher prevalence rate of substance abuse than females. Significant differences in substance abuse mean scores were found for gender, age, income, community involvement, and retirement. The findings also reveal that being a female, involved in community groups, being a retiree, and being a non-baby boomer are protective factors of substance abuse. Being an upper medium income earner appears to be a risk factor of substance abuse.

Journal

Health Psychology Open

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Volume

4

ISBN/ISSN

2055-1029

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Issue

1

Pages Count

7

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Publisher

SAGE

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Date

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EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.1177/2055102917708136