Mental Health and Substance Abuse Middle Adulthood
Depression is the most widely studied mental illness among middle age adults (Willis & Marin, 2005, p.222). Middle adulthood is surmounted with changes and transitions. Therefore, social aspects of mental health are mostly studied as an outcome to midlife change that may be linked to depression (Willis & Marin, 2005, p.222). In Middle Adulthood: A Lifespan Perspective (2005), approximately 3,000 middle aged adults were assessed for depressive symptoms using the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (p.223).
Reponses were scored 0 meaning almost never to 3 almost always. The maximum score of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale was 60 with a clinically relevant depressive symptom cut off at 16. The results showed a 34% trajectory of increased depressive symptoms and 35% to 46% scored above the clinical cut off. Loneliness is an indicator of mental health and was also assessed using the 11-item De Jong Gierveld loneliness scale; loneliness relevant cut off was 3. Results showed 68% of participants scored 3 or higher on the loneliness scale. The findings of this study illustrate the susceptibility of depression among middle aged adults that can be attributed to loneliness.
Transitions, adaptation to changes, and altering personal goals are apparent throughout lifespan. Therefore, lacking healthy emotional ways to cope through such losses and gains can occur at any age. Inability to sustain coping mechanism for losses can lead to mental health disorders and substance abuse. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2009), half of 2.2 million adults aged 50 and older used marijuana, 28 percent used only prescription drugs, and 17 percent used cocaine (Blank, p.2). The factors associated with such drug use included being male, unmarried, starting drug use at an early age, depression, alcohol use, and tobacco. All of these factors were presented within the previous year.
Researchers Blazer and Wu (2009) found similar findings among adults aged 50-64, where alcohol and drug use were most prevalent; particularly with unemployed males (p.5). Males and adults that used marijuana and cocaine were separated, divorced, or widowed (Blazer & Wu, 2009, p.7). According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2009), a 2005-2006 study showed that 83 percent of 3.2 million adults aged 50 and older needed treatment for substance abuse (Blank, p.2). However, the adults did not see a need for treatment and therefore did not seek treatment (Blank, p.2).
Suicide
Suicide and difficulty accepting transitions can occur at any age. According to Daniel and Goldston (2012), developmental psychologists suggest that successful adaptation at younger ages can lead to successful adaptation in later years (p. 289). On the other hand, problems adjusting at earlier ages can foreshadow future adjustment problems that can become risk factors of suicide (Daniel & Goldston, p.289). Moreover, earlier thoughts of suicide can increase readiness to attempt future suicide thoughts or behavior (Daniel & Goldston, p.289).
According to Daniel and Goldston the two factors that have been linked to increased risk of suicide thoughts and behavior across a lifespan are hopelessness and lack of connectedness to others (2012, p.289). Hopelessness refers to a negative pessimistic view of the future that is also identified as a cognitive characteristics of depression (2012, p.289). Other researchers believe that hopelessness can be a reaction to life stressors that lead to suicide. Lack of connectedness is defined as lack of social support, poor inclusion into a social network, or social isolation (Daniel & Goldston, p. 288). Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one intervention used to treat suicidal thoughts. Daniel and Goldston believe that addressing factors of suicide at initial onset can reduce or alter thoughts and behaviors that later lead to suicide (2012, p.290). Adults aged 40-54 had the highest risk of death by suicide during 1999-2007 (Daniel & Goldston, 292). Suicide has been associated with alcohol and substance abuse among adults. Suicide has also been more prominent among adults who have experienced losses or disruptions in relationships (Daniel & Goldston, p. 294).
Conclusion
Mental illness, substance abuse, and suicide can occur because of unhealthy coping and poor adjustments to changes in midlife. See Personality Tab for coping adaptive strategies.
Depression is the most widely studied mental illness among middle age adults (Willis & Marin, 2005, p.222). Middle adulthood is surmounted with changes and transitions. Therefore, social aspects of mental health are mostly studied as an outcome to midlife change that may be linked to depression (Willis & Marin, 2005, p.222). In Middle Adulthood: A Lifespan Perspective (2005), approximately 3,000 middle aged adults were assessed for depressive symptoms using the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (p.223).
Reponses were scored 0 meaning almost never to 3 almost always. The maximum score of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale was 60 with a clinically relevant depressive symptom cut off at 16. The results showed a 34% trajectory of increased depressive symptoms and 35% to 46% scored above the clinical cut off. Loneliness is an indicator of mental health and was also assessed using the 11-item De Jong Gierveld loneliness scale; loneliness relevant cut off was 3. Results showed 68% of participants scored 3 or higher on the loneliness scale. The findings of this study illustrate the susceptibility of depression among middle aged adults that can be attributed to loneliness.
Transitions, adaptation to changes, and altering personal goals are apparent throughout lifespan. Therefore, lacking healthy emotional ways to cope through such losses and gains can occur at any age. Inability to sustain coping mechanism for losses can lead to mental health disorders and substance abuse. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2009), half of 2.2 million adults aged 50 and older used marijuana, 28 percent used only prescription drugs, and 17 percent used cocaine (Blank, p.2). The factors associated with such drug use included being male, unmarried, starting drug use at an early age, depression, alcohol use, and tobacco. All of these factors were presented within the previous year.
Researchers Blazer and Wu (2009) found similar findings among adults aged 50-64, where alcohol and drug use were most prevalent; particularly with unemployed males (p.5). Males and adults that used marijuana and cocaine were separated, divorced, or widowed (Blazer & Wu, 2009, p.7). According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2009), a 2005-2006 study showed that 83 percent of 3.2 million adults aged 50 and older needed treatment for substance abuse (Blank, p.2). However, the adults did not see a need for treatment and therefore did not seek treatment (Blank, p.2).
Suicide
Suicide and difficulty accepting transitions can occur at any age. According to Daniel and Goldston (2012), developmental psychologists suggest that successful adaptation at younger ages can lead to successful adaptation in later years (p. 289). On the other hand, problems adjusting at earlier ages can foreshadow future adjustment problems that can become risk factors of suicide (Daniel & Goldston, p.289). Moreover, earlier thoughts of suicide can increase readiness to attempt future suicide thoughts or behavior (Daniel & Goldston, p.289).
According to Daniel and Goldston the two factors that have been linked to increased risk of suicide thoughts and behavior across a lifespan are hopelessness and lack of connectedness to others (2012, p.289). Hopelessness refers to a negative pessimistic view of the future that is also identified as a cognitive characteristics of depression (2012, p.289). Other researchers believe that hopelessness can be a reaction to life stressors that lead to suicide. Lack of connectedness is defined as lack of social support, poor inclusion into a social network, or social isolation (Daniel & Goldston, p. 288). Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one intervention used to treat suicidal thoughts. Daniel and Goldston believe that addressing factors of suicide at initial onset can reduce or alter thoughts and behaviors that later lead to suicide (2012, p.290). Adults aged 40-54 had the highest risk of death by suicide during 1999-2007 (Daniel & Goldston, 292). Suicide has been associated with alcohol and substance abuse among adults. Suicide has also been more prominent among adults who have experienced losses or disruptions in relationships (Daniel & Goldston, p. 294).
Conclusion
Mental illness, substance abuse, and suicide can occur because of unhealthy coping and poor adjustments to changes in midlife. See Personality Tab for coping adaptive strategies.
Deaths & Death Rate, Suicide, Race: All Races, Ages 45-74, Males and Females
2009 2010 2011 Selected Years Total
Deaths Deaths Rate Deaths Death Rate Deaths Death Rate Deaths Death Rate
522 17.4 530 17.2 537 17.1 1,589 17.2
Deaths & Death Rate, Motor Vehicle Crashes, Race: All Races, Ages 45-74 Males and Females
2009 2010 2011 Selected Years Total
Deaths Death Rate Deaths Death Rate Deaths Death Rate Deaths Death Rate
469 15.6 463 15.0 470 14.9 1,402 15.2
2009 2010 2011 Selected Years Total
Deaths Deaths Rate Deaths Death Rate Deaths Death Rate Deaths Death Rate
522 17.4 530 17.2 537 17.1 1,589 17.2
Deaths & Death Rate, Motor Vehicle Crashes, Race: All Races, Ages 45-74 Males and Females
2009 2010 2011 Selected Years Total
Deaths Death Rate Deaths Death Rate Deaths Death Rate Deaths Death Rate
469 15.6 463 15.0 470 14.9 1,402 15.2
References
Blank, K. (2009). Older Adults & Substance Use: New Data Highlight Concerns. Retrieved from http: www.samhsa.gov/samhsanewsletter/Volume_17_Number_1/OlderAdults.aspx
Center of Disease Control. (2013). CDC finds suicide rates among middle-ages adults increased from 1999-2010. Retrieved from http: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2013/p0502-suicide-rates.html
Daniel, S. S., & Goldston, D. B. (2012). Hopelessness and lack of connectedness to others as risk factors for suicidal behavior across the lifespan: Implications for cognitive-behavioral treatment. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 19(2), 288-300.
Georgia Department of Public Health's Data Warehouse. (2013). Online analytically statistical information system. Retrieved from http://oasis.state.ga.us/oasis/
Blank, K. (2009). Older Adults & Substance Use: New Data Highlight Concerns. Retrieved from http: www.samhsa.gov/samhsanewsletter/Volume_17_Number_1/OlderAdults.aspx
Center of Disease Control. (2013). CDC finds suicide rates among middle-ages adults increased from 1999-2010. Retrieved from http: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2013/p0502-suicide-rates.html
Daniel, S. S., & Goldston, D. B. (2012). Hopelessness and lack of connectedness to others as risk factors for suicidal behavior across the lifespan: Implications for cognitive-behavioral treatment. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 19(2), 288-300.
Georgia Department of Public Health's Data Warehouse. (2013). Online analytically statistical information system. Retrieved from http://oasis.state.ga.us/oasis/