Occupational variations in drinking and psychological distress: A multilevel analysis

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Marchand, Alain | Demers, Andrée^; | Durand, Pierre^; | Simard, Marcel^;

Affiliations: Health and Prevention Social Research Group (GRASP), University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada | Department of Sociology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada | School of Industrial Relations, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Alain Marchand, GRASP, University of Montreal, P.O. Box 6128, Downtown Station, Montréal (Qc), Canada, H3C 3J7. Tel.: +1 514 343 6111 ext. 4276; Fax: +1 514 343 2334; E-mail: alain.marchand@umontreal.ca

Abstract: The relationship between alcohol intake and psychological distress has been overlooked in studies on the working population. Using a multilevel multivariate model, this study reports results obtained from a sample of 8812 workers nested in 387 occupations. Results show that alcohol intake and psychological distress vary significantly at the worker and occupation levels, but they do not show a large variation at the occupation level. Occupational socioeconomic status appears to be a common factor explaining the correlation between alcohol intake and psychological distress at the occupation level. Semi-professionals, middle management, foreman and semiskilled clerical-sales-services occupations are particularly at risk. Gender is related to both outcomes, while work schedule and number of weekly working hours are associated only with psychological distress. Implications and limitations of these results are discussed.

Journal: Work, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 153-163, 2003