NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

A comparison of substance use rates among female nurses, clerical workers and blue-collar workers.

Blazer LK; Mansfield PK

J Adv Nurs 1995 Feb; 21(2):305-313

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.1995.tb02527.x

00225772

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.

NIOSH-Publication; NIOSH-Grant; Psychological-disorders; Substance-abuse; Nursing; Cigarette-smoking; Drug-abuse; Office-workers; Age-groups

Nursing Pennsylvania State University 303-304 Human Development East University Park, PA 16802

JANUDP

19950201

Journal Article

141486

Grant

1995

Grant-Number-R01-OH-002162

2

0309-2402

Journal of Advanced Nursing

PA

Pennsylvania State University Park, University Park, Pennsylvania