The University College London study said the stress of competing with men for executive positions is contributing to increased drinking among women.

For the study, researchers surveyed 8,000 government employees. The men and women surveyed worked at various levels in 20 agencies in London.

The survey showed that the percentage of men with alcohol problems was the same from clerical to senior-executive levels. Women in lower-level jobs were less likely to have a drinking problem than men in similar positions. But as women advanced to senior-level positions, their drinking surpassed their male counterparts.

"It may be the stress for women of working against a glass ceiling is to blame," said Jenny Head, a senior lecturer in epidemiology and public health at University College London, who led the research. "It may be that women feel they have to compete on an equal footing and take on male roles and behaviors."

Head added, "People who find they put in effort and don't feel they are getting rewards are more at risk of becoming a problem drinker. We have already shown that stressful conditions at work can lead to poorer health for people. This is just another way that stress can impact on health."

The charity Alcohol Concern said the drinking culture among top executives should be examined. "We have to ask whether women are drinking more because they feel under pressure. But we have to ask what is the drinking culture in this organization at upper levels," said the charity's spokeswoman, Anne Jenkins. "Do they feel more stressed, or is it that they are drinking to keep up with their peers?"

The study's findings are published in the March 2004 issue of the journal Occupational Environmental Medicine.

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