Alcohol use and happiness among retired Finns living in Spain compared to those in Finland

BackgroundMany retired people spend part of their winters in southern Europe. Little is known about their lifestyle or psychological well-being.AimWe investigated alcohol use and feelings of happiness among retired Finns living in Spain compared to those in Finland.MethodsA questionnaire was answered by people 65–75 years in Espoo, Finland (n = 562) and in Andalusia, Spain (n = 261). The questionnaire enquired about demographics, psychological well-being and use of alcohol. We used the American Geriatrics Society definition for at-risk alcohol consumption.ResultsThe Finns living in Spain had a better education, higher income, better self-rated health and more often lived with a partner than their counterparts in Espoo. Of females in Spain, 89% used alcohol and 16% were at-risk users, whereas the respective figures in Espoo were 71% (P < 0.001) and 6% (P < 0.001). A larger percentage of females in Spain (97%) felt happy compared to those in Espoo (88%) (P < 0.001). These differences were not found among men. In logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, income, place of residence, self-rated health and marital status, moderate alcohol consumption was associated with happiness among females (OR 3.35, 95% CI 1.65 to 6.80) whereas at-risk consumption did not. Among males, alcohol use was not associated with happiness. Low income and poor self-rated health were inversely associated with at-risk drinking.ConclusionsA larger proportion of Finnish females aged 65–75 living in Spain use alcohol and are at-risk drinkers compared to those in Finland. Moderate use of alcohol is associated with better psychological well-being among them.