We investigated longitudinal associations between occupation and alcohol use disorders (AUDs) across early- to mid-adult life.
Longitudinal trajectories of work substantive complexity were constructed by growth mixture modeling of occupational data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 and O*NET work variables. The association between work trajectories and AUDs was modeled adjusting for education.
Lower work trajectories were associated with higher AUD prevalence and incidence. Incident AUDs were associated with a subsequent decline in work trajectory class for both high and low initial classes, more strongly in women despite lower overall AUD incidence.
Low work trajectory is associated with increased AUD prevalence. Development of an AUD may presage risk of decline in work substantive complexity. These findings suggest reinforcing relations between the development of AUD and occupational course at midlife.
From the Selikoff Centers for Occupational Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine (Dr Meyer), Icahn-Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY; and Johns Hopkins Lupus Center (Dr Mutambudzi), Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Address correspondence to: John D. Meyer, MD MPH, Selikoff Centers for Occupational Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn-Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1 Gustave Levy Pl, Box 1057, New York, NY 10029 (john.meyer@mssm.edu).
This study was supported by grant OH 9666 from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
Authors Meyer and Mutambudzi have no other relationships/conditions/circumstances that present potential conflict of interest.
The JOEM editorial board and planner have no financial interest related to this research.
