Citation

Nielsen MB, Gjerstad J, Frone MR. Subst. Use Misuse 2018; 53(4): 574-584.

Affiliation

Research Institute on Addictions , State University of New York at Buffalo , Buffalo , New York , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10826084.2017.1349797

PMID

28910176

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although alcohol use can have detrimental effects for employees, little is known about the prevalence, distribution, and correlates in the Norwegian workforce. AIMS: To determine the overall and the work-related prevalence of weekly alcohol use, and to establish associations between psychosocial work stressors and alcohol use among Norwegian employees.

METHODS: Data were from a 2015 national probability sample of 1,608 Norwegian employees (response rate 32%). Job demands, lack of job control, role expectations, workplace bullying, and leadership were examined as correlates of several dimensions of alcohol use.

RESULTS: Average weekly alcohol consumption was 4.28 units (SD = 7.91). Male workers reported significantly higher consumption than female workers. Also, 2.6% of male and 2.0% of female workers reported problematic alcohol use. Only 0.1% of workers reported weekly alcohol use before the workday, 0.4% reported weekly use during the workday, 20.1% reported weekly use after ending the work day, and 80% reported use during weekends/days off. Alcohol intake increased with age, but was not related to marital status, educational level, work schedule, or leadership position. Problematic alcohol use was related to job demands and workplace bullying. Alcohol use after work was positively related to lack of job control and role ambiguity and negatively related to bullying.

CONCLUSIONS/importance: Weekly alcohol use before and during the workday is not prevalent among Norwegian workers. Interventions to reduce job demands and workplace bullying may reduce problematic alcohol intake, whereas increasing job control and reducing role ambiguity may reduce after work use.

Language: en

Keywords

Drinking; addiction; misuse; representative survey; work