The objectives of this epidemiologic study are to delineate the prevalence of perceived sexual and non-sexual harassment experiences reported by women and men in a racially and ethnically diverse university work setting and to assess their impact on alcohol consumption, drinking motivations and alcohol-related problems. A sample of 4,000 female and male university employees across occupational levels (e.g., faculty, graduate research and teaching assistants, administrative and support staff, service workers), will be surveyed at two points in time with self-report mailed questionnaires. The theoretical framework guiding this study characterizes work-based harassment experiences as more pathogenic than other work stressors insofar as they are more likely to engender cognitive appraisals involving self blame an personal inadequacy. Hypotheses to be tested address both precursors of perceived harassment and alcohol-related consequences. Mediating or additive variables include cognitive style, coping repertoire, social support, occupational drinking norms and childhood abusive experiences. A variety of multivariate statistical techniques will be utilized to depict the various pathways through which work-based harassment correlates with and predicts female and male alcohol-related outcomes. A qualitative component of the research will explore and clarify the differential nature and consequences of harassment which is sexual from harassment which broader in nature and outside the sexual realm. A final goal is to address both the prevention of work- based harassment and the development of effective coping techniques to actively counter harassment in place of self medicating distress through substance abuse.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AA009989-03
Application #
2413253
Study Section
Clinical and Treatment Subcommittee (ALCP)
Project Start
1995-05-01
Project End
2000-04-30
Budget Start
1997-05-01
Budget End
1998-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois at Chicago
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
121911077
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612
McGinley, Meredith; Richman, Judith A; Rospenda, Kathleen M (2011) Duration of sexual harassment and generalized harassment in the workplace over ten years: effects on deleterious drinking outcomes. J Addict Dis 30:229-42
Richman, Judith A; Shannon, Candice A; Rospenda, Kathleen M et al. (2009) The relationship between terrorism and distress and drinking: two years after September 11, 2001. Subst Use Misuse 44:1665-80
Richman, Judith A; Cloninger, Lea; Rospenda, Kathleen M (2008) Macrolevel stressors, terrorism, and mental health outcomes: broadening the stress paradigm. Am J Public Health 98:323-9
Richman, Judith A; Zlatoper, Kenneth W; Zackula Ehmke, Jennifer L et al. (2006) Retirement and drinking outcomes: lingering effects of workplace stress? Addict Behav 31:767-76
Rospenda, Kathleen M; Richman, Judith A; Shannon, Candice A (2006) Patterns of workplace harassment, gender, and use of services: an update. J Occup Health Psychol 11:379-93
Freels, Sally A; Richman, Judith A; Rospenda, Kathleen M (2005) Gender differences in the causal direction between workplace harassment and drinking. Addict Behav 30:1454-8
Rospenda, Kathleen M; Richman, Judith A (2004) The factor structure of generalized workplace harassment. Violence Vict 19:221-38
Richman, Judith A; Wislar, Joseph S; Flaherty, Joseph A et al. (2004) Effects on alcohol use and anxiety of the September 11, 2001, attacks and chronic work stressors: a longitudinal cohort study. Am J Public Health 94:2010-5
Richman, Judith A; Rospenda, Kathleen M; Flaherty, Joseph A et al. (2004) Perceived organizational tolerance for workplace harassment and distress and drinking over time [harassment and mental health] Women Health 40:1-23
Richman, Judith A; Shinsako, Stephanie A; Rospenda, Kathleen M et al. (2002) Workplace harassment/abuse and alcohol-related outcomes: the mediating role of psychological distress. J Stud Alcohol 63:412-9

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