AN OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD - ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION AMONG HOSPITALITY MANAGERS

One hundred eighty-three alumni of a hospitality program at a Northeas tern university were surveyed to examine the relationships between wor k stressors, strains, social support, and several demographic variable s and alcohol consumption among hospitality managers. The data provide compelling support for the presence of an occupational subculture who se norms promote drinking. No support was found for the work stress pe rspective of alcohol consumption; however, significant negative correl ations between each of three measures of strain and alcohol consumptio n indicate that alcohol may serve as a buffer between work stressors a nd strains. Implications and future research needs are discussed.