Gender differences in the effect of job stressors on alcohol consumption

Using a Toronto sample of 994 employed men and women, this analysis considers gender differences and the effect of job stressors on alcohol consumption. Controlling for age, income, marital status, hours of work, and family history of alcohol abuse, results indicate that both male and female respondents in jobs high in substantive complexity consume significant less alcohol than respondents in jobs low in complexity. Two gender differences were found. Job demands have no impact on men's alcohol consumption, but they significantly increase women's drinking. Conversely, job noxiousness has no effect on women's alcohol consumption, but it significantly increases men's consumption. Results are discussed with reference to the public health policy implications of the findings and with reference to the multiple health risks confronting women in stressful jobs.