Genevieve M. Ames

Survey nonresponse bias among young adults: the role of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.

The purpose of this study is to determine the role of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use as predictors of survey panel attrition among an occupational cohort of young adults in the U.S. military. Baseline data on substance use and sociodemographic factors were obtained from 2838 men and women through confidential, self-administered questionnaires while they attended Navy basic training or Officer Candidate School in 1998. Longitudinal follow-up using mailed self-administered questionnaires was begun in 2000. Multivariate logistic regression models were developed to estimate the odds of attrition in relation to baseline substance use. Results revealed that tobacco use was a significant predictor of attrition [Odds ratio (OR) = 1.63; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.37, 1.95]. A significant interaction between level of education and drug use indicated that respondents with less than a college education who were also drug users were at elevated risk for attrition (OR = 2.39; 95% CI 1.09, 5.28). Other significant predictors of panel attrition were male gender and younger age. Alcohol use was not significantly associated with attrition. The findings suggest that tobacco users and drug users with less than a college education may be an important source of nonresponse bias in longitudinal surveys of employed young adults.

Problem Drinking, Unemployment, and Intimate Partner Violence among a Sample of Construction Industry Workers and their Partners

The purpose of this study is to determine the contribution of male unemployment and each partner’s problem drinking to risk for male-to-female partner violence (MFPV) and female-to-male partner violence (FMPV) among a sample of construction industry workers and their spouses/partners. Participants in the sample (n = 848 couples) completed cross-sectional health behavior surveys. Multivariate logistic regression models of MFPV and FMPV, with adjustment for demographic and psychosocial variables, were developed. Approximately 20% of couples reported MFPV, and 24% reported FMPV. Results indicated that couples in which the male was a problem drinker, and in which the male worker reported being currently unemployed, were at risk for MFPV. Number of months unemployed by the male worker was significantly associated with FMPV, but problem drinking was not associated with this outcome. Male and female impulsivity were significantly associated with risk for MFPV and FMPV, and the male’s report of adverse childhood events was associated with increased likelihood of MFPV. There was no evidence for the effects of unemployment being moderated (exacerbated) by problem drinking. Workplace-based prevention efforts may be a feasible and important strategy to reduce problem drinking and partner violence among high-risk occupational groups.

Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use among young adults prior to entering the military.

This study examined the prevalence and correlates of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use among military recruits prior to enlistment. As part of a 5-year longitudinal study, a baseline survey was conducted with 2,002 Naval recruits. Despite being overwhelmingly underage, 75% of recruits consumed alcohol in the year before enlistment, and 26% had engaged in heavy drinking. About half had used tobacco, and 31% had used drugs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that although men were not at significantly greater risk than were women for preenlistment alcohol, heavy drinking or drug use, they were at elevated risk for preenlistment tobacco use (Odds Ratio = 1.71; 95% Confidence Interval = 1.21, 2.41). Normative beliefs concerning best friends drinking were highly predictive of each outcome. Prior use of each substance was significantly associated with prior use of other substances. Preenlistment drinking, smoking, and drug use are prevalent behaviors in this population. These data can help to heighten awareness among employers as to the prevalence of substance use in the 17–24-year-old age group, and thereby inform policy and prevention programs.

Agreement on Intimate Partner Violence Among a Sample of Blue-Collar Couples

This study assessed agreement level about the occurrence of past-year male-to-female partner violence (MFPV) and female-to-male partner violence (FMPV) among a sample of 897 blue-collar couples. Intimate partner violence (IPV) was measured with the Physical Assault subscale of the revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2). Agreement level was assessed with Cohens kappa statistic. Lower-bound estimates (based on couple agreement that an IPV event occurred) and upper-bound estimates (based on uncorroborated reports from either partner that an IPV event occurred) were calculated. Results indicated low agreement for most IPV behaviors (κ < .40). Estimated lower- and upper-bound rates for MFPV were 6.7% and 21.2%, for FMPV, 7.1% and 24.2%, and for any IPV, 10.1% and 30.2%. Findings suggest that single-point IPV prevalence estimates are biased; lower- and upper-bound estimates using collateral reports should be calculated when possible. In addition, findings underscore the importance of conducting IPV research among understudied populations, such as working-class couples, that may be at elevated IPV risk.

Prevalence and Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence Among a Sample of Construction Industry Workers

This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) among a sample of unionized construction industry workers, and tested the reliability of new measures of IPV normative beliefs. Study participants (n=100) voluntarily completed confidential and anonymous self-administered questionnaires that measured occupational factors, hazardous drinking, and normative beliefs. Measurement of past-year IPV was based on the Conflict Tactics Scale, Form R. Measures of IPV normative beliefs showed good reliability (Cronbach’s α 0.94–0.95). Past-year IPV prevalence was 26%. Logistic regression models were developed to assess the contribution of each factor to risk of past-year IPV perpetration. Perceived workplace racial/ethnic discrimination, job strain, interpersonal workplace conflict, normative beliefs, and hazardous drinking were positively associated with elevated IPV risk.Construction industry workers may have higher rates of IPV compared to general population samples that represent various occupations and social classes. Occupational factors appear to be significant correlates of IPV among these workers.

Contribution of occupational factors to current smoking among active-duty U.S. Navy careerists

Rates of cigarette smoking among active-duty U.S. military personnel remain elevated, ranging from 23% among Air Force personnel to 38% among Army personnel. The purpose of this study was to estimate the contribution of occupational factors to current smoking and heavy smoking among a sample of Navy careerists (those with at least 7 years of military service), and to determine if gender moderates these associations. Participants in the study (n = 2,922) were randomly recruited within over-sampled strata of women and racial/ethnic minorities, and voluntarily completed confidential self-administered questionnaires on drinking, smoking, demographic, and occupational factors during 2001-2002. Approximately 23% of study participants reported current smoking; 9% reported heavy smoking. Multivariate logistic regression models were developed to estimate the contribution of occupational factors to current smoking and heavy smoking. The results indicated that careerists in the enlisted ranks were significantly more likely to be current smokers and heavy smokers compared with careerist officers. In addition, those who were deployed at sea were significantly more likely to report current smoking compared with those not currently deployed at sea. Mean daily ounces of alcohol were also significantly associated with likelihood of current and heavy smoking. Gender did not modify the association between occupational factors and smoking. Because aspects of the work environment are potentially modifiable, understanding the role of occupational factors vis-à-vis smoking can aid in smoking prevention and cessation efforts within the military.

Did Substance Use Change after September 11th? An Analysis of a Military Cohort

The purpose of this study was to assess changes in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use after the terrorist attacks of September 11 among a cohort of young military personnel consisting of 661 active duty Navy personnel, including 164 women. Paired sample t tests were computed to assess mean differences in substance use in the 30 days before and after September 11. Average daily alcohol consumption significantly declined in the 30 days after September 11 among enlisted personnel (n = 315) and officers (n = 360). Significant increases in the usual number of cigarettes smoked and in the number of days using prescription drugs after September 11 were observed among enlisted personnel, but not among officers. Increased use of cigarettes and prescription drugs among enlisted personnel after September 11 suggests that some sectors of the military may turn to tobacco and other substances to cope with traumatic circumstances such as the events of September 11.ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess changes in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use after the terrorist attacks of September 11 among a cohort of young military personnel consisting of 661 active duty Navy personnel, including 164 women. Paired sample t tests were computed to assess mean differences in substance use in the 30 days before and after September 11. Average daily alcohol consumption significantly declined in the 30 days after September 11 among enlisted personnel (n = 315) and officers (n = 360). Significant increases in the usual number of cigarettes smoked and in the number of days using prescription drugs after September 11 were observed among enlisted personnel, but not among officers. Increased use of cigarettes and prescription drugs among enlisted personnel after September 11 suggests that some sectors of the military may turn to tobacco and other substances to cope with traumatic circumstances such as the events of September 11.

General and job-related alcohol use and correlates in a municipal workforce

We examined the prevalence and correlates of both general and workplace-related drinking measures using data from a telephone survey of 673 workers in a large municipal bureaucracy and tested the hypothesis that observed differences across job categories can be explained by compositional difference in terms of demographic variables known to be related to drinking behavior. Results suggest such factors account for much of the variation in general drinking measures (prior-28-day quantity, CAGE score, indicating risk for dependence), but that significant variation in a workplace-related drinking measure (times ever drank before, during, or just after work) remains even after such factors are controlled. Implications of these findings for existing theories of workplace effects on drinking are discussed, along with a consideration of appropriate levels of analysis for future studies.

American Beliefs about Alcoholism

One of the most significant difficulties in dealing with alcoholism on any level is that so few people agree on what it is. In American society, there are differing and controversial perspectives current in the medical professions, the academic and scientific communities, and the population at large as to whether habitual and excessive consumers of alcohol are suffering from a disease, are victims of conflicting cultural norms, are weak-willed and irresponsible persons, or a combination of these possibilities. The stigmatizing aspects of alcoholism and the general paradigmatic differences among professionals have had far-reaching implications not only for prevention and treatment programs, but also for the affective behavior of the afflicted drinker and his or her family.

Middle-Class Protestants

Few people would deny that excessive, habitual drinking of one family member has a damaging effect on the whole family unit. There is a general consensus among professionals in the field that alcoholism contributes to family stress and instability and that wives, husbands, and children of alcoholics have relatively high rates of physical, emotional, and psychosomatic illnesses (Straus, 1971).