Depression and alcohol among workers: Gender differences on the relationship of depression and alcohol use among employees based on a multi-year workplace wellness program

Background and objective

Workplace wellness programs are being offered by employers for the purpose of improving their employees’ health. The objective of the study is to examine whether there are gender differences in the relationship of depression and drinking behavior.

Methods

Data from 275,143 employees from 856 organizations were collected from 2004 through 2013. We used two items for drinking behavior: frequency of drinking (e.g., number of days drinking during the past two weeks) and amount of drinks a day (e.g., number of drinks per day). We used 6 items of self-rated depression scales with a response range of 1 to 6 (1= none of the time, 6=all the time). Chi-square test and independent sample t-tests were used for the analysis.

Results

Thirty eight percent of men responded that they drank more than 3 days during the past two weeks, while only 24% of women did. Among those who drink, 17% men reported that they had more than 3 drinks a day, while only 6% women did. Depression was significantly associated with drinking behavior for both male and female (p<.001). However, depression and number of drinking days were negatively related in the female group and positively related in the male group.

Conclusions

Male participants drink more frequently and more heavily compared to female participants. In addition, depressed males were found to be more frequent drinkers than depressed females. Employers and wellness program managers may consider implementing both depression and drinking interventions for male participants.