Perceived Unfair Treatment and Problem Drinking Among U.S. Navy Careerists

Abstract

This mixed-methods paper assessed interrelationships of unfair treatment at work, stress, and problem drinking among a sample of U.S. Navy careerists. Survey data from current drinkers (n = 2,380) were analyzed, along with qualitative interviews from a quota sample of 81. More women than men (51.4% versus 16.2%) reported gender unfair treatment; approximately 20% of respondents reported ethnic/racial unfair treatment. Unfair treatment was associated with likelihood of problem drinking, but associations were attenuated after adjusting for frequency of work problems and expecting alcohol to alleviate stress. Qualitative results revealed contexts of unfair treatment within bureaucratic structures, tradition, norms, and role modeling.