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Police and Alcohol Use: A Descriptive Analysis and Associations with Stress Outcomes

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Abstract

Alcohol misuse is a significant problem in police work. This study describes alcohol use correlates and examines psychological outcomes of stress associated with the use and level of alcohol by police officers. Measures: (1) AUDIT-Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test; (2) demographics; (3) Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale; (4) Impact of Events Scale (PTSD); and (5) life events scale. The mean AUDIT score was M = 5.64 (low risk <8). Male officers had significantly higher scores in overall AUDIT total, hazardous alcohol use domain, and dependent symptoms domain (p = 0.004, 0.002, 0.031, respectively). Women officers in the hazardous drinking range on the AUDIT were significantly younger than women officers in the lower AUDIT range (p = 0.050). Males in the hazardous drinking range had significantly higher external life event scores than females (p = 0.037), suggesting a need for increased attention to the spillover effect of police work.

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Grant Sponsor:

The Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Grant Number:

1R03OH003772-01.

Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Health Professions, State University of New York at Buffalo, Farber Hall Room 270, 3435 Main Street Bldg 26, Buffalo, NY, 14214-3000, USA

    John M. Violanti

  2. Biostatistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA

    James E. Slaven, Luenda E. Charles, Cecil M. Burchfiel & Michael E. Andrew

  3. Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA

    Gregory G. Homish

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  1. John M. Violanti
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  2. James E. Slaven
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  3. Luenda E. Charles
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  4. Cecil M. Burchfiel
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  5. Michael E. Andrew
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  6. Gregory G. Homish
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Correspondence to John M. Violanti.

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Violanti, J.M., Slaven, J.E., Charles, L.E. et al. Police and Alcohol Use: A Descriptive Analysis and Associations with Stress Outcomes. Am J Crim Just 36, 344–356 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-011-9121-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-011-9121-7

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