RELATIONSHIP OF WORK FAMILY CONFLICT, GENDER, AND ALCOHOL EXPECTANCIES TO ALCOHOL-USE ABUSE

Numerous studies have documented a positive relationship between work- family conflict and both psychological distress and somatic symptoms. Little research, however, has explored the relationship of work-family conflict to alcohol use/abuse. Consequently, this study investigated the relationship of work-family conflict to several indicators of abus ive alcohol consumption. In addition, the moderating influence of gend er and tension-reduction expectancies was examined. Data were obtained through household interviews with a random sample of 473 employed adu lts. As hypothesized, work-family conflict was positively related to a busive alcohol consumption. In addition, there was strong support for the moderating influence of tension-reduction expectancies. As anticip ated, the positive relationship between work-family conflict and abusi ve alcohol consumption was found almost exclusively among individuals who believe that alcohol use promotes relaxation and tension reduction . In contrast, the hypothesis that gender moderates the relationship b etween work-family conflict and alcohol use/abuse was not supported. I mplications for future research and intervention efforts aimed at redu cing alcohol abuse in the workforce are discussed.