The Relationship between Work-Specific and Generalized Stress and Alcohol and Marijuana Use among Recent Entrants to the Labor Force

Abstract

This study examined changes in alcohol and marijuana use and problem in relation to the transition into full-time work, and the effects of work-related and generalized stress among a group of recent entrants to the labor force. Data were obtained from a sample of males and females who were originally interviewed when they were eighteen years old and followed up twice more at three year intervals. We hypothesized that those who transit into and maintain a full-time job will not increase their level of consumption if they find the job to be the “right fit.” The data indicated that when age, gender, and marital status were controlled, there were few significant effects of the transition to full-time work on use measures. Data from this study provided evidence of a stronger role for generalized stress over that of work-specific stress in predicting changes in drug use in young adulthood.