Workplace discrimination and alcohol consumption: findings from the San Francisco Muni Health and Safety Study.
OBJECTIVE
There is evidence of an association between occupational stress and alcohol consumption. This study investigates the association between workplace racial discrimination and alcohol consumption in a sample of urban transit operators.


METHODS
During 1993-1995, after undergoing a medical exam, 1,542 transit operators completed an interview. Depending on the outcome, we used logistic or linear regression models to examine the cross-sectional relationship between discrimination experience and alcohol consumption.


RESULTS
Operators who reported discrimination in at least one situation, out of a possible four, were more likely to have had negative life consequences as a result of drinking (adjusted OR = 1.97; 95% CI, 1.20-3.83) and were more likely to be classified as having an alcohol disorder (OR = 1.56 [0.96-2.54]), compared to those who reported no instances of workplace discrimination. Results adjusted simultaneously for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, marital status, and seniority. There was no association between workplace discrimination and heavy drinking or drinks per month.


CONCLUSIONS
Cross-sectional data from a sample of urban transit operators indicates an association between workplace racial discrimination and some measures of alcohol consumption.
Yen
I H
IH
Behavioral Risk Factors Training Program and School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley 94720-7360, USA.
Ragland
D R
DR
Greiner
B A
BA
Fisher
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000208:ethnology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology*; D011287:Prejudice; D011822:Race Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D012495:San Francisco; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014186:Transportation; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data