Social climate and workplace drinking among women in a male-dominated occupation

Objective: This study applies Gilligan's relational theory to an exploration of the influence of the social climate at work on workplace drinking in a male-dominated occupation. Methods: Data used in this analysis were originally collected from a random sample of employees at a heavy machinery assembly plant (N= 984, women = 121). Because reciprocal relationships between workplace drinking and social climate were hypothesized, the parameters were estimated using simultaneous equation modeling. Results: Women who reported a negative social climate at work also had a greater propensity to drink at work. There was no similar relationships between social climate and workplace drinking for men. Conclusions: Workplace drinking prevention programs in male-dominated occupations may need to address the social climate at work, particularly for women. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.