Citation

Lee CM, Cadigan JM, Fairlie AM, Lewis MA. Addict. Behav. 2017; 79: 107-112.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, 1100 NE 45(th) St., Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98105, United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.12.004

PMID

29287186

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: With many young adults pursuing post-secondary education and many working, understanding the importance of education and work roles on alcohol use are of developmental and clinical importance. Utilizing a sample of 18-20year-olds transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood, the current study examined how social role statuses in education (i.e., not in school, 2-year students, 4-year students) and work status (i.e., unemployed, employed part-time, employed full-time) were associated with alcohol use, alcohol-related consequences, and perceived drinking norms.

METHOD: Participants were 18-20year old young adults (54% female) participating in a one-time online survey about alcohol use and sexual behavior. Regression models were conducted to examine associations between school status and work status with alcohol related outcomes.

RESULTS: Individuals who were unemployed had a significantly lower likelihood of any heavy episodic drinking (HED) in the past month, consumed fewer drinks per week, and experienced fewer alcohol-related consequences compared to individuals who worked full-time. Individuals who worked part-time consumed fewer drinks per week and had lower perceived drinking norms compared to individuals who worked full-time. No significant associations were found for alcohol use and consequences by education status.

DISCUSSION: Working full-time is a risk factor for HED, greater weekly drinking and negative alcohol-related consequences when compared to young adults who are unemployed, and to a lesser extent with young adults working part-time. Workplace interventions may be one approach to reach heavy drinking young adults.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

2-year students; 4-year students; Employment; Work status; Young adults