Work demographics and officers' perceptions of the work environment which add to the prediction of at risk alcohol consumption within a large Australian police sample
(2000) Work demographics and officers' perceptions of the work environment which add to the prediction of at risk alcohol consumption within a large Australian police sample. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management 23(1):pp. 69-81.
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Abstract
This study examined aspects of the work environment, which may impact on individual police officers' risk of harm from alcohol consumption. A self report survey containing demographic questions, the AUDIT and questions relating to perceived control over the job, overtime, pressure, boredom and job satisfaction was completed by 67 per cent of officers in an Australian state police service. The results of the current study indicate that gender, age and marital status, are individual risk factors for problem drinking, as has been shown in previous research. Within the policing context, years of service, job satisfaction, perceived control within the job and being an operational officer, also emerged as significant predictors of at risk alcohol consumption patterns. Findings further suggest that there is a strong norm of drinking at work or after a shift, which suggests a culture of acceptance of drinking within the workplace. This acceptance is strongly predictive of both risk of alcohol dependency and negative consequences from drinking within the police service. This study suggests directions for future research, which may lead to the introduction of informed interventions within the police service that could reduce officers' risk of harm from alcohol consumption.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Keywords: | policing; work-related stress; working environment; alcohol |
| Subjects: | 370000 Studies in Human Society > 370500 Demography 380000 Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences > 380100 Psychology > 380108 Industrial and Organisational Psychology 390000 Law, Justice and Law Enforcement > 390400 Law Enforcement > 390499 Law Enforcement not elsewhere classified 320000 Medical and Health Sciences > 321200 Public Health and Health Services > 321201 Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety 380000 Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences > 380100 Psychology > 380199 Psychology not elsewhere classified |
| ID Code: | 8955 |
| Deposited By: | Schnyder, Anthony J. |
| Deposited On: | 27 August 2007 |
| Alternative Locations: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13639510010314625 |
| Copyright Owner: | Copyright 2000 Emerald |
| Additional Information: | For more information, please refer to the journal’s website (see link) or contact the author. Author contact details: p.obst@qut.edu.au |