Alcohol dependence in relation to burnout among the Finnish working population.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship of burnout to alcohol dependence and high alcohol consumption.


METHODS
A cross-sectional population-based multi-disciplinary 'Health 2000 Study'. The analyses were performed separately for the women and the men and adjusted for socio-demographic factors.


METHODS
In Finland, 3276 active employees (1637 women and 1639 men), aged 30-64 years, from a representative population sample.


METHODS
The diagnosis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version IV (DSM-IV) alcohol dependence was based on the standardized Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI). The assessment of high alcohol consumption was based on self-reported alcohol use. Burnout was assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS).


RESULTS
The 12-month prevalence of alcohol dependence was associated with burnout among both men and women. Each one-point increase in burnout score was associated with an 80% increase in the incidence for alcohol dependence among women and a 51% increase among men. These associations persisted when socio-demographic factors were adjusted. The associations between burnout and high alcohol consumption were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
There is an association between burnout and alcohol dependence among both genders. Among both women and men, attention to alcohol-related behaviour is warranted in the clinical context when burnout and other problems related to work are encountered. Interventions which include assessment of work conditions and management of work-related stress should be targeted at employees with alcohol dependence in addition to traditional treatment.
Ahola
Kirsi
K
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland. kirsi.ahola@occuphealth.fi
Honkonen
Teija
T
Pirkola
Sami
S
Isometsä
Erkki
E
Kalimo
Raija
R
Nykyri
Erkki
E
Aromaa
Arpo
A
Lönnqvist
Jouko
J
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012720:Severity of Illness Index