Alcohol, employment status, and social benefits: one more piece of the puzzle

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the role of employment status and the receipt of social benefits in the prediction of alcohol use.

Methods: Logistic regression models were used to analyze panel data from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH) 1987-88 and 1991-92. A total of 7,599 respondents who were older than 16 years of age in 1987 and did not have a physical or mental condition were included in the analysis. The alcohol measures were (a) total number of drinks in the past 30 days; and (b) having 5 or more drinks in a day, 4 or more days in the past 30 days.

Results: Employed welfare recipient women have a greater likelihood of heavy drinking than other full-time employed. We do not find evidence of an association between not being employed (with or without benefits) and greater likelihood of engaging in heavy drinking behaviors. Alcohol drinking among other employment groups is not significantly different, with the exception of retired men who drink less.

Conclusion: It is important to focus attention on women working while receiving welfare, and who may need help maintaining their jobs.