IS WORK A RISK FACTOR IN THE PRESCRIBED PSYCHOTROPIC-DRUG CONSUMPTIONOF FEMALE WHITE-COLLAR WORKERS AND PROFESSIONALS

This article provides information on the prevalence and the characteri stics of consumption of prescribed psychotropic drugs among unionized female white-collar workers and professionals in Montreal Canada. The objective of this paper is also to raise hypotheses on the contributio n of certain professional factors to women's long-term use of psychotr opic prescribed drags. Data were collected through a questionnaire mai led to participants' homes. Results showed that prescribed psychotropi c drugs are being used in the context of work. About 15% of the workin g women did use prescribed psychotropic drugs during the twelve months preceding the survey, and 5% of respondents reported a high level of consumption. Working women had a tendency to maintain consumption prac tices in line with their doctor prescription. Results also suggest tha t the work environment influenced prescribed drug consumption.