A Daily Diary Study of Positive Experiences and Alcohol Use Among Non-Abstaining Adults Aged 50+ Years

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the covariation of daily positive experiences and alcohol use among a national sample of adults aged 50+ years.

Methods

Participants (N = 1,035; M_{age =} 61.62; range = 50–83) were non-abstaining adults aged 50+ years who participated in an 8-day diary project in the National Study of Daily Experiences.

Results

Multilevel regression analyses revealed that alcohol use was more likely on days with greater positive affect (OR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.12, 1.56]) and any positive events (OR = 1.25; 95% CI [1.05, 1.48]). When adjusting for positive affect, positive event exposure was not associated with likelihood of alcohol use. Neither positive affect nor positive event exposure significantly predicted drinking level. However, an age moderation effect emerged (b = −0.01; SE = 0.004; p = .02), showing that older age attenuated the association between positive event exposure and drinking level.

Discussion

Consistent with patterns observed in younger adults, positive experiences and alcohol use often occur on the same days among adults aged 50+ years.