Relationship of work‐family conflict, gender, and alcohol expectancies to alcohol use/abuse

Numerous studies have documented a positive relationship between work‐family conflict and both psychological distress and somatic symptoms. Little research, however, has explored the relationship of work‐family conflict to alcohol use/abuse. Consequently, this study investigated the relationship of work‐family conflict to several indicators of abusive alcohol consumption. In addition, the moderating influence of gender and tension‐reduction expectancies was examined. Data were obtained through household interviews with a random sample of 473 employed adults. As hypothesized, work‐family conflict was positively related to abusive alcohol consumption. In addition, there was strong support for the moderating influence of tension‐reduction expectancies. As anticipated, the positive relationship between work‐family conflict and abusive alcohol consumption was found almost exclusively among individuals who believe that alcohol use promotes relaxation and tension reduction. In contrast, the hypothesis that gender moderates the relationship between work‐family conflict and alcohol use/abuse was not supported. Implications for future research and intervention efforts aimed at reducing alcohol abuse in the workforce are discussed.