A new study found a link between retirement and an increase in depressive symptoms.
The research, published in the journal Aging and Mental Health, also examined the effect that drinking alcohol might have on retirees’ depression risk. Some people use alcohol as a way to alleviate financial stress and other negative feelings.
While moderate drinking was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, people who drank heavily reported heightened symptoms.
The findings “highlight the need to screen for both alcohol use and depression, and to develop healthier coping mechanisms” to deal with the negative effects of retirement, Antonia Díaz-Valdés Iriarte, PhD, the first author of the study and an assistant professor at the Health and Society Research Center at Universidad Mayor, Chile, told Health.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, almost 23% of people ages 60 to 64 and almost 10% of those over 65 reported binge drinking in the past month.
Retirement can bring on complicated feelings, including isolation and loss of identity. The team wanted to shed light on retirees’ mental health—an overlooked area of scientific research, according to Díaz-Valdés Iriart.
She and her colleagues analyzed data from 1994 to 2020 of 27,575 participants enrolled in the National Institute on Aging-funded Health and Retirement Study, research that included a nationally representative sample of people ages 50 and older in the United States.
Every two years, participants answered questions about alcohol use, depression symptoms, and their employment status. On average, people who were retired reported a 0.04-point increase in symptoms of depression than their working counterparts.
Retirees who reported binge drinking—meaning consuming four or more drinks on the same day for women and five or more for men—had a 0.07-point increase in symptoms of depression, on average, than people who didn’t drink alcohol at all.
But not all alcohol consumption was linked with worsening depression. People who drank in moderation had an average of 0.09 fewer depression symptoms than non-drinkers. The researchers defined moderate drinking as one to three drinks daily for women and one to four for men.
According to Po-Chang Hsu, MD, a physician, clinical researcher, and medical content expert at Alpas Wellness, the study highlights how significant changes like leaving the workforce can influence mental health. It offers a more comprehensive understanding of how older adults cope with these transitions.
The study does have limitations, however. One is that it did not differentiate between voluntary and involuntary retirement and partial and complete retirement, which makes it difficult to draw more narrow conclusions about retirement, depression, and drinking habits.
Additionally, the study relied on self-reported data, raising the odds that inaccuracies crept in.
“The findings should be viewed as observational, not definitive,” Hsu said.
Though the study found that moderate drinking may reduce depressive symptoms, it’s important to be aware of the risks to physical health. “While moderate drinking might provide short-term relief for mood, the physical risks can add up over time and should be carefully considered,” Hsu said.
Growing evidence suggests that even casual drinking may increase the risk of some cancers, fatty liver cirrhosis, and other chronic health conditions.
Drinking is also associated with premature mortality and an increased risk of falls, Díaz-Valdés Iriarte said.
Alcohol could be especially harmful for older adults because they metabolize alcohol slower than younger people and may remain intoxicated for a more extended period, she explained. On top of that, they may be more likely to take medications that don’t mix well with alcohol.
The good news is that there are plenty of expert-backed ways for older adults to cope with depression that don’t involve drinking alcohol.
“Physical activity, like walking, swimming, or yoga, can release endorphins and improve mood,” Hsu said.
A balanced diet with plenty of leafy greens, whole grains, and foods rich in omega-3s supports physical and mental health, he noted.
Hsu also recommended mindfulness practices like meditation or breathing exercises, which can help reduce stress and improve emotional resilience, as well as staying socially connected with friends, family, and community groups.
Another coping strategy, according to Díaz-Valdés Iriarte, is for older adults to find activities that fulfill and relax them.
She recommends hobbies that help relieve stress, things you may have enjoyed doing before retiring but didn’t have time for, or trying something new. Painting, exercising, traveling, taking care of grandchildren, volunteering, working part-time, and spending time with friends are all excellent options, she said.
But if the coping strategies aren’t cutting it, it may be time to seek professional help. “If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about how to manage depression or alcohol use, reaching out to a healthcare provider can be a significant first step,” Hsu said. “They can guide you toward resources and strategies that work best for your needs.”
Some older adults may benefit from guided support on how to use their “free” time, Gabrielle Jones, PhD, a licensed psychologist with expertise in addiction medicine and substance use and CEO of Steady Clinical Consultation, told Health. “Helping rediscover identities that may have been lost or put on the back shelf because of work can make significant wellness strides for older adults,” she said.
