I M Geisner1, J Koopmann2, P Bamberger3, M Wang4, M E Larimer5, I Nahum-Shani6, S Bacharach7. 1. Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Box 354944, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States. Electronic address: geisner@uw.edu. 2. Auburn University, Raymond J. Harbert College of Business, Department of Management, 405 W. Magnolia Ave, Auburn, AL 36849, United States. 3. Coller School of Management, Tel Aviv University & Smithers Institute, Cornell University, 16 E. 34th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States. 4. University of Florida, Warrington College of Business, Department of Management, P.O. Box 117165, Gainesville, FL 32611-7165, United States. 5. Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Box 354944, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States. 6. Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson St, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1248, United States. 7. Smithers Institute, Cornell University, 16 E. 34th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The transition from college to work is both an exciting and potentially high risk time for young adults. As students transition from academic settings to full-time employment, they must navigate new social demands, work demands, and adjust their drinking behaviors accordingly. Research has shown that there are both protective factors and risk factors associated with starting a new job when it comes to alcohol use, and individual differences can moderate these factors. METHOD: 1361 students were recruited from 4 geographically diverse universities and followed 1month pre- and 1month post-graduation. Drinking frequency, quantity, consequences, and impulsivity were assessed. RESULTS: Full-time employment was related to increased drinking quantity but not related to changes in other drinking outcomes. However, impulsivity moderated the relationship between employment and drinking. For those reporting higher levels of impulsivity at baseline, full-time employment was associated with an increase in drinking variables (quantity and frequency), whereas drinking was unaffected by full-time employment status among those reporting lower levels of impulsivity. Implications for future research are discussed.
BACKGROUND: The transition from college to work is both an exciting and potentially high risk time for young adults. As students transition from academic settings to full-time employment, they must navigate new social demands, work demands, and adjust their drinking behaviors accordingly. Research has shown that there are both protective factors and risk factors associated with starting a new job when it comes to alcohol use, and individual differences can moderate these factors. METHOD: 1361 students were recruited from 4 geographically diverse universities and followed 1month pre- and 1month post-graduation. Drinking frequency, quantity, consequences, and impulsivity were assessed. RESULTS: Full-time employment was related to increased drinking quantity but not related to changes in other drinking outcomes. However, impulsivity moderated the relationship between employment and drinking. For those reporting higher levels of impulsivity at baseline, full-time employment was associated with an increase in drinking variables (quantity and frequency), whereas drinking was unaffected by full-time employment status among those reporting lower levels of impulsivity. Implications for future research are discussed.
Authors: Amelia M Arria; Laura M Garnier-Dykstra; Emily T Cook; Kimberly M Caldeira; Kathryn B Vincent; Rebecca A Baron; Kevin E O'Grady Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2012-06-27 Impact factor: 4.492