Dr Kate Kersey1, Prof Antonia C. Lyons1
1Centre for Addiction Research, Social and Community Health, School of Population Health, University Of Auckland, Grafton, New Zealand
Biography:
Dr Kate Kersey is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Addiction Research, School of Population Health, University of Auckland. Her research explores the meanings and experiences of alcohol consumption in the contexts of people’s daily lives and broader gendered, social, economic, and cultural environments, to inform appropriate cohort specific policy responses. Kate has a keen interest in professional discipline and experience in health policy, law and regulation. Kate has a BCom/LLb (Hons) from the University of Auckland, New Zealand; an MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health, US; and a PhD from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
Abstract:
Introduction:
Legal practice is associated with high levels of alcohol consumption (1, 2) which can have personal and workplace consequences, including harms to self and others, impaired performance, absenteeism, and intention to leave the workplace (3, 4). Lawyers’ alcohol consumption is linked to demanding work environments and mental health issues (5). In New Zealand, a ‘work hard, play hard’ drinking culture among lawyers contributes to excessive drinking (6). Our research aimed to illuminate and address how socio-demographic factors, working conditions, and cultural drivers shape heavy drinking in lawyers.
Methods:
Seventeen individual interviews were conducted with lawyers in New Zealand. Topics included drinking cultures, the roles of alcohol over their careers, and views on interventions to change cultures and reduce drinking. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results:
Three themes were identified, namely (i) changing work and drinking cultures across different workplace groups; (ii) alcohol as normalised in the legal profession; and (iii) work contexts and pressures shape drinking expectations and meanings. Participants voiced a range of concerns about alcohol-related harms, and this was reflected in their views on societal reforms around alcohol regulation.
Discussion and conclusions:
Heavy drinking cultures remain prevalent in legal careers, although meanings of alcohol consumption vary by socio-demographics and work environments. Affective pressures of legal work shape meanings of drinking in varying and unexpected ways. Findings underscore the importance of working with legal professionals to change cultures and develop strategies to reduce consumption in ways that are embedded within their own perspectives and work communities.