Alcohol dependence in relation to burnout among the Finnish working population

Aims: To investigate the relationship of burnout to alcohol dependence and high alcohol consumption. Design: A cross-sectional population-based multi-disciplinary 'Health 2000 Study'. The analyses were performed separately for the women and the men and adjusted for socio-demographic factors. Setting and participants: In Finland, 3276 active employees (1637 women and 1639 men), aged 30-64 years, from a representative population sample. Measurements: The diagnosis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version IV (DSM-IV) alcohol dependence was based on the standardized Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI). The assessment of high alcohol consumption was based on self-reported alcohol use. Burnout was assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey (MBI-GS). Findings: The 12-month prevalence of alcohol dependence was associated with burnout among both men and women. Each one-point increase in burnout score was associated with an 80% increase in the incidence for alcohol dependence among women and a 51% increase among men. These associations persisted when socio-demographic factors were adjusted. The associations between burnout and high alcohol consumption were not statistically significant. Conclusions: There is an association between burnout and alcohol dependence among both genders. Among both women and men, attention to alcohol-related behaviour is warranted in the clinical context when burnout and other problems related to work are encountered. Interventions which include assessment of work conditions and management of work-related stress should be targeted at employees with alcohol dependence in addition to traditional treatment.