Presbyterian Congregation Members' Perceptions of Drinking Problems in Clergy and other Helping Professionals

Abstract

This study examined how members of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. (PCUSA) rated symptoms of problem drinking exhibited by clergymen compared to other helping professionals. Vignettes presenting case histories of a clergyman, counselor, or teacher who had experienced negative consequences of alcohol use were mailed to 255 randomly selected members from a Mid-western Presbytery; 181 (71%) returned usable response forms. Seventy-six percent rated the target in the vignette as a “problem drinker” regardless of occupation. Occupation was associated with respondents' ratings of the severity of the drinking; however, contrary to our hypothesis, respondents perceived the drinking of clergy as more severe than the drinking of the control occupations. Also, clergymen were seen as needing professional help more frequently than members of the control occupations. Occupation was not associated with participants' decisions about whether the target should keep his job or how much his drinking would interfere with his work.

Key Words:

• Presbyterian Church
• USA
• attitudes towards drinking
• vignette methodology
• clergy
• occupation