Work Factors as Potential Causal Agents of Alcohol Abuse

Abstract

The notion that an individual's work may contribute to alcohol abuse is a central theme in the job-based alcoholism literature. A review of the theoretical formulation and empirical studies on this topic, however, revealed that unequivocal evidence of such linkages is scarce. A variety of methodological problems and the absence of a unifying theory of job-based consumption are blamed for this shortcoming. In an attempt to begin building a causal literature, the methodological problems and some solutions are outlined. In addition, the basis for a theory is presented by proposing three causal pathways: a job requirement pathway, a social influence pathway and a job response pathway. The latter two pathways are discussed in detail and a variety of research areas are outlined.