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Work demographics and officers' perceptions of the work environment which add to the prediction of at risk alcohol consumption within a large Australian police sample
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Work demographics and officers' perceptions of the work environment which add to the prediction of at risk alcohol consumption within a large Australian police sample

Jeremy D Davey, Patricia L Obst and Mary C Sheehan
Policing, Vol.23(1), pp.69-81
2000
url
https://doi.org/10.1108/13639510010314625View
Published Version

Abstract

alcohol police police culture working conditions
This study examined aspects of the work environment, which may impact on individual police officers' risk of harm from alcohol consumption. A self report survey containing demographic questions, the AUDIT and questions relating to perceived control over the job, overtime, pressure, boredom and job satisfaction was completed by 67 per cent of officers in an Australian state police service. The results of the current study indicate that gender, age and marital status, are individual risk factors for problem drinking, as has been shown in previous research. Within the policing context, years of service, job satisfaction, perceived control within the job and being an operational officer, also emerged as significant predictors of at risk alcohol consumption patterns. Findings further suggest that there is a strong norm of drinking at work or after a shift, which suggests a culture of acceptance of drinking within the workplace. This acceptance is strongly predictive of both risk of alcohol dependency and negative consequences from drinking within the police service. This study suggests directions for future research, which may lead to the introduction of informed interventions within the police service that could reduce officers' risk of harm from alcohol consumption.

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Criminology & Penology

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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