Penny L. Brennan, Ph.D.

Health Science Specialist

B.A., University of California, Berkeley

Ph.D., University of California, Irvine

Research Interests

• Patterns and predictors of health service use and mortality among older substance abuse patients

• Effects of life stressors, social resources, and coping responses on older adults' drinking behavior and mental health

• Effects of mental health treatment and informal help-seeking on older problem drinkers' substance use and psychosocial functioning
  
  

• Stress and coping processes among older adults with substance use disorders, depression, and cardiac illness
  
  

• Assessment of older adults' life contexts and living environments