Police and alcohol use: a descriptive analysis and associations with stress outcomes.
Authors
Violanti-IM; Slaven-JE; Charles-LE; Burchfiel-CM; Andrew-ME; Homish-GG
Source
Am J Crim Justice 2011 Dec; 36(4):344-356
Abstract
Alcohol misuse is a significant problem in police work. This study describes alcohol use correlates and examines psychological outcomes of stress associated with the use and level of alcohol by police officers. Measures: (1) AUDIT-Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test; (2) demographics; (3) Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale; (4) Impact of Events Scale (PTSD); and (5) life events scale. The mean AUDIT score was M = 5.64 (low risk <8). Male officers had significantly higher scores in overall AUDIT total, hazardous alcohol use domain, and dependent symptoms domain (p = 0.004, 0.002, 0.031, respectively). Women officers in the hazardous drinking range on the AUDIT were significantly younger than women officers in the lower AUDIT range (p = 0.050). Males in the hazardous drinking range had significantly higher external life event scores than females (p = 0.037), suggesting a need for increased attention to the spillover effect of police work.
Keywords
Alcoholic-beverages; Demographic-characteristics; Epidemiology; Physiological-effects; Physiological-response; Physiological-stress; Police-officers; Psychological-effects; Psychological-reactions; Psychological-responses; Psychological-stress; Sex-factors; Statistical-analysis;
Author Keywords: Police; Alcohol use; Stress; Family spillover effect
Contact
John M. Violanti, Department of Social & Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health & Health Professions, State University of NY at Buffalo, Farber Hall Rm 270 , 3435 Main St. Bldg. 26, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
violanti@buffalo.edu
Identifying No.
Grant-Number-R03-OH-003772; B11232011
Priority Area
Services: Public Safety
Source Name
American Journal of Criminal Justice
Performing Organization
University of New York at Buffalo
