Working hours and alcohol problems in early adulthood

Aims To examine the associations between working hours and alcohol-related problems during early adulthood. Design and setting Longitudinal study of a birth cohort born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1977 and studied to age 30. Participants A total of 1019 participants with data available for working hours and alcohol-related problems at either age 25 or 30. Measurements Weekly working hours in paid employment; frequent alcohol use; diagnosis of alcohol abuse/dependence; number of symptoms of alcohol abuse/dependence. Associations between working hours and alcohol-related problems were adjusted for covariates including measures of: parental and family background; personality and behaviour; IQ and educational achievement; recent negative life events; recent mental health problems; and current partner and family circumstances. Findings Longer work hours were associated significantly with more frequent alcohol use (P<0.0001), higher rates of alcohol abuse/dependence (P=0.0001) and a greater number of alcohol abuse/dependence symptoms (P=0.01). These associations were adjusted for a wide range of confounding factors. After adjustment there remained significant (P