Professional and Social Statuses as Predictors of Alcohol Consumption by Working Russians

Abstract

The paper analyses alcohol consumption patterns among working residents of Russia, depending on their professional and social statuses, using statistical methods. The study is based on data from the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey of the National Research University Higher School of Economics for the period of 2013–2019. Sampling included working women aged 16 to 55 and men aged 16 to 60.The introductory part of the article covers the main trends in alcohol consumption among working Russians with different professional and social statuses. The main part of the article presents the results of an empirical study of the statistical relationship between the characteristics of an employee's professional and social statuses and indicators characterizing the probability and volume of consumption of specific alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, vodka, etc.) and alcohol in general. An econometric analysis of the relationships was carried out based on a random effect panel logistic model and an individual random effect Tobin model. Statistical estimates were made separately for men and women. The regression analysis helped the authors find an increase in the probability of consuming alcohol in general, as well as wine and spirits (cognac, whiskey, liqueurs) for workers with the highest professional status (legislators; high-ranking officials; senior and mid-level executives), as well as women with mid-level qualifications compared to unskilled workers. At the same time, the authors recognized a downward trend in the probability of vodka consumption for the respondents of both gender groups with the growth of their professional status (most pronounced for women). In addition, with an increase in the professional status of an individual, there was a trend towards a decrease in the volume of alcohol consumption in general and by specific beverages except for wine. The volume of wine consumption by men from the categories of "clerks and workers in trade and services" and "mid-level professionals; officials" exceeded the value of the corresponding indicator for unskilled workers. An analysis of the statistical relationship between the social status of working Russians and their predisposition to consume alcoholic beverages revealed an increase in the probability of consumption of selected alcoholic beverages among representatives of both gender groups and the probability of alcohol consumption in general (among men) with an increase in the social status of an individual with more moderate consumption compared to workers with lower social status (for men).According to the authors, the results of this study can be relevant to the elaboration of specific alcohol policy measures aimed at reducing alcohol consumption among the employed population of our country.