Predictors of Alcohol Drinking Sobriety in Korean Male Workers

Backgrounds: High level of alcohol consumption among Korean male workers has been a concern for occupational health professionals because it causes chronic health problems among them as well as creates negative social and economic consequences at their homes and workplaces. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify predictors of sobriety in alcohol drinking among male workers in Korea. Methods: The cross-sectional survey design was used with a total of 229 male workers from 15 workplaces in four cities. Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior was used as a conceptual framework to understand sobriety behaviors. Results: The participants were relatively young (mean age=36years old), college educated (over 90%), and white collar workers (over 83%). On average, the participants reported 239.3g of alcohol consumption during the past 2 weeks. Workers with higher income ($2,000 or above/month) reported more alcohol consumption (t = -3.95, p = .00) than those who earned less. Workers who started drinking after high school graduation showed higher perceived behavioral control (t = 2.47, p = .02) and intention to quit drinking (t = 2.35, p = .02), compared to those who started drinking earlier (before high school graduation). Subjective norms (b = .51, p = .00) and perceived behavioral control (b = .54, p = .00) were significant predictors of intention to sobriety. Perceived behavioral control (b = 9.86, p = .02) was significantly associated to sobriety behavior. Implication: Intervention programs should incorporate strategy to increase perceived behavioral control, thus to promote sobriety behaviors in this population.