Researchers from Umeå University, the University of Åland and Åbo Akademi University have investigated how marital status and changes in marital status are related to alcohol consumption among the elderly.
Older people without a partner more often abstained from alcohol completely, while people in relationships, especially women, were more likely to engage in risky drinking or binge drinking.
"Our results challenge the traditional view of which risk groups need attention," says Erika Boman, one of the researchers behind the study, in a press release.
