Work-family conflicts and drinking behaviours among employed women and men.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between work-family conflicts and drinking behaviours among women and men, and to discover whether the relationship remains the same after taking into account family structure and socio-economic status.


METHODS
Cross-sectional surveys were carried out by postal questionnaires in 2001 and 2002 among female and male municipal employees aged 40-60, of Helsinki, Finland; 4228 women and 1043 men participated, with a response rate of 66%. Dependent variables were heavy drinking-for men >12 standard portions per week and for women >9 portions per week; weekly binge drinking including 6 or more portions per occasion; and problem drinking, as measured by the CAGE questionnaire. Independent variables were work-to-family conflicts and family-to-work conflicts. Covariates were age, family structure, education, income, and occupational class.


RESULTS
Work-family conflicts were strongly related to problem drinking among both women and men and also associated with heavy drinking among women. Taking family structure and socio-economic status into account did not markedly change the relationship between work-family conflicts and heavy drinking among women, but strengthened slightly the association with problem drinking among both women and men.


CONCLUSIONS
Work-family conflicts are particularly important issues in problem drinking among men and women and also in heavy drinking among women. Improving the balance between work and family may be a way to prevent problem drinking.
Roos
Eva
E
Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland. eva.roos@helsinki.fi
Lahelma
Eero
E
Rahkonen
Ossi
O
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009111:Local Government; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014937:Work