‘I’d be willing to take that risk for the enjoyment of the time that I have’: a COM-B influenced analysis of older people’s perspectives on their alcohol consumption

Victoria Kostadinov; Ashlea Bartram

doi:10.1080/08870446.2023.2276748

‘I’d be willing to take that risk for the enjoyment of the time that I have’: a COM-B influenced analysis of older people’s perspectives on their alcohol consumption

Victoria Kostadinov, Ashlea Bartram

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Objectives: To explore how older people understand, perceive, and evaluate the various factors which drive their alcohol consumption behaviours.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 Australian community-dwelling older adults (aged 65+ years) who drank alcohol at least once a month. Thematic analyses identified common themes which were then mapped onto the COM-B theoretical framework.

Results: Drinking behaviours were driven by a lack of capability in the form of poor knowledge regarding safe drinking behaviours and guidelines; high opportunity for consumption due to ease of accessing alcohol and its prominence in social routines; and high motivation to drink due to perceived benefits outweighing perceived risks.

Conclusion: Increasing older peoples’ knowledge of the risks associated with consumption and safe drinking behaviours represents a key health promotion priority in order to reduce the burden of alcohol-related harms among this group.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	904-919
Number of pages	16
Journal	Psychology and Health
Volume	40
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2023.2276748
Publication status	Published - 2025

Keywords

Alcohol
Australia
older people
qualitative methodology
risky drinking

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1080/08870446.2023.2276748Licence: CC BY

Final published versionFinal published version, 1.24 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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‘I’d be willing to take that risk for the enjoyment of the time that I have’: a COM-B influenced analysis of older people’s perspectives on their alcohol consumption

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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