No Higher Risk of Problem Drinking or Mental Illness for Women in Male-Dominated Occupations

Abstract

A sample of 562 women were drawn from the general population study “Women and alcohol in Göteborg” (N = 8335). An initial screening phase was followed by interviews regarding work, alcohol, and mental illness. Data from 1990 and 1995 were analyzed. Logistic regressions were used to calculate odds ratios. Contradictory to earlier studies we found no higher risk for alcohol problems/mental illness among women in male-dominated occupations. Selection and changes in cultural norms can be explanations. Study limitations included use of occupations at an aggregated level. The Swedish Council financially supported the study for Working Life and Social Research.

Keywords:

• alcohol dependence and abuse
• high alcohol consumption
• high episodic drinking
• mental health problems
• horizontal gender segregation
• sex segregation
• occupational health