A comparison of substance use rates among female nurses, clerical workers and blue-collar workers.
Authors
Blazer-LK; Mansfield-PK
Source
J Adv Nurs 1995 Feb; 21(2):305-313
Abstract
The reported substance abuse of working female nurses was compared with that of two other groups of employed women. Questionnaires were mailed and data from 920 nurses, 405 clerical workers (traditional), and 200 nontraditional female workers from two large eastern states were analyzed. Demographic, work, home, and personality variables were assessed. Information on substance use was gathered by a 15 item substance use scale and the frequency of use of 15 substances was measured. The items were grouped into seven categories: alcohol, cigarettes, cocaine and crack, marijuana, inhalants, opiates and hallucinogens, and nonprescription drugs. Cigarette use among nontraditional workers was found to be double that of nurses and clerical workers. Alcohol use in the nontraditional and nurse groups was twice that of the traditional group. Little evidence of illicit drug abuse was seen in the three groups, except for the moderate use of marijuana and use of cocaine/crack among nontraditional workers. The majority of reported substance use was observed among younger age groups. The authors conclude that substance use/abuse among nurses is no higher than that of the two other groups of working women. The authors recommend that primary prevention efforts be directed at young female workers.
Keywords
NIOSH-Publication; NIOSH-Grant; Psychological-disorders; Substance-abuse; Nursing; Cigarette-smoking; Drug-abuse; Office-workers; Age-groups
Contact
Nursing Pennsylvania State University 303-304 Human Development East University Park, PA 16802
Document Type
Journal Article
Identifying No.
Grant-Number-R01-OH-02162
Source Name
Journal of Advanced Nursing
Performing Organization
Pennsylvania State University Park, University Park, Pennsylvania
